Organisation ‘Working visit by Commissioner paves the way for our further development’ Written on Friday, December 5, 2025 Today, Commissioner Janny Knol visited the Netherlands Police Academy in Apeldoorn. The focus of this working visit lay on various themes from the Police Strategic Agenda ‘Standing firm in turbulent times’. These themes were then linked to the further development of education, knowledge and research. Janny Knol was welcomed by Leonard Kok and Olivia Kramers, the Police Academy’s Directorate. First, the Commissioner spoke with Henno Bogers, Team Lead Special Agreements, and others. The topics of conversation were training special investigating officers, and the further development of the Police Officer Specific Deployment (PSI) course. Officers with higher police education make for stronger teams Afterwards, the Commissioner spoke with five students of various Police Academy bachelor’s programmes. They discussed how police professionals with higher police education had added value for the organisation. ‘Officers with a policing degree strengthen teams and contribute to future-proof policing, thanks to their knowledge of topics like digitalisation, financial affairs, and international cooperation’ said Sarah, student of the Criminal Investigations bachelor’s programme. ‘The bachelor’s programmes teach research skills, leadership, coaching, and reflection. These skills are useful in innovation, development, and translating policy to practice.’ ❛❛ People often think most officers with a policing degree will become managers, but their strength also lies in operational policing. Also in policing practice ‘Officers with a policing degree are also valuable experts when it comes to tackling complex legal, societal or operational issues’, Sarah continues. ‘People often think most of them will become managers, but their strength also lies in operational policing. They can combine broad academic insights with their colleagues’ practical experience. I hope the Commissioner’s visit provides input for discussions on streamlining the police organisation’s expectations regarding police professionals with higher police education.’ The next topic of the working visit was ‘Robust leadership’. The Commissioner discussed this topic with various employees of the School of Police Leadership, the Police Leadership Team, and teachers in the Police Leadership bachelor’s programme. Digital transformation Afterwards Michael Bots, Policy Advisor on Digitalisation and Educational Innovation spoke about digital transformation. ‘The challenges of a rapidly digitalising society demand a digital transformation, both in policing and in police education. These challenges call for changes in our digital activities: different types of work, and different ways of working. But they also require us to design and organise education differently.’ ‘This is essential if we are to stay agile. One example is digital professionalism for students, teachers, supervisors, and leadership. Another example is the shared learning environment for Police Academy students and police officers. This way, police officers can seamlessly continue learning throughout their career.’ Subsequently, Janny Knol attended a class from the Basic Digitally Skilled Investigations module: a place- and time-independent training module on digital investigation skills. Learning to stand firm At the end of the working visit, the title of the Netherlands Police Academy’s Strategic Agenda for 2026-2030 was revealed: ‘Learning to stand firm’. By choosing this title, the Police Academy demonstrates that it is part of the Netherlands Police, and that its contribution lies in the areas of education and development. The Academy’s new strategic agenda focuses on developing the professional identity of all police professionals: the foundations of sound policing. ‘Learning to stand firm’ also deals with designing and supervising learning and development processes, both in training programmes and in knowledge and research. ❛❛ We offer a broad range of high-quality programmes. But it’s always useful to reflect with the Commissioner on important topics, such as leadership development and digital transformation. Keeping pace ‘We were delighted to welcome the Commissioner to our Apeldoorn campus again’, says Leonard Kok. ‘Another opportunity to share what the Police Academy does and what drives us. We offer a broad range of high-quality programmes. But it’s always useful to reflect with the Commissioner on important topics, such as leadership development and digital transformation. We’re currently finalising the Police Academy’s Strategic Agenda, and these topics will have an important place in it.' ‘For example, how can we together ensure that police officers get the well-trained and robust leaders they need: leaders capable of guiding all police professionals through these turbulent times? Developments such as digital transformation, polarisation, and increased violence place increasingly high (and constantly changing) demands on policing, and therefore also on police leadership. The Police Academy will need to keep pace with such developments. Working visits like this one really help pave the way forward.’