The Public Prosecution Service (OM) in Northern Netherlands has decided not to prosecute Airsoft Combat Support (ACS) and its owner for forgery. The Dutch Airsoft Interests Association (NABV) had filed complaints twice.
ACS is not a member of the NABV but is a recognized company under the Weapons and Ammunition Act. The NABV believes that ACS created and used false introducer certificates, allowing introducers to attend airsoft weapon events in Munnekezijl. At these events, introducers could only participate if registered through the NABV website. However, Munnekezijl could not be entered as a location on that site.
Control
The polices chief tasks department in Northern Netherlands is responsible for the licensing and oversight of airsoft weapons. During an event in Munnekezijl in August 2022, it was found that the certificates of present introducers had a correct name but an incorrect location. The chief tasks department spoke with the owner of ACS about this, leading to a (one-time) warning. The OM looked at the NABVs first complaint and decided in September 2023 not to conduct an investigation.
On July 12, 2024, the NABV filed another complaint of forgery against both ACS and the owner. This complaint suggests that the police chief tasks department was involved in this forgery. The reason is that the owner of ACS had made a statement to the Sports Law Institute (ISR), claiming that the procedure for registering introducers was agreed upon with a staff member from the chief tasks department.
Investigation
Following this complaint, the OM instructed the polices Safety, Integrity and Complaints department (VIK) in Northern Netherlands to investigate the actions of the relevant department. Several individuals were interviewed during this investigation, including two staff members from this department. The recording of the conversation between the owner of ACS and the ISR was also reviewed.
Based on this investigation, the OM concluded that there was no involvement in forgery by the chief tasks department staff, nor were there any agreements made with ACS. The owner of ACS indicated in an interrogation that there was no consent from the relevant police department. Additionally, there was a mistake in the recording of the conversation with the ISR; he did not say agreed but discussed.
Although ACSs introducer certificates and the owners actions were incorrect, the OM and the police believe that this conduct did not pose a serious violation of public order and safety. Furthermore, the owner of ACS has now established his own association, which has recently been officially recognized. For these reasons, a criminal procedure is not appropriate. Registering introducers through the NABV website is now a thing of the past, and the incorrect filling out of introducer certificates has also come to an end.
Police Chief Not Involved
A publication in the Algemeen Dagblad on October 21, 2024, states that the above occurred under the watchful eye of the police chief of the Northern Netherlands unit. This investigation shows that he was not personally involved in any way.