BOAs Get New Tasks and Powers

Minister Foort van Oosten (JenV): “The boa currently plays an indispensable and important role in keeping our neighborhoods safe (municipal boa), public transport (OV-boa), and also in nature reserves (green boa). Working in constantly changing environments, times, locations, dynamics, and atmospheres makes the job of a boa attractive, but sometimes also unpredictable. This calls for clarity about the tasks, powers, and equipment that belong to the work of an investigating officer and that can be requested from employers.”

The main changes in the new boa system are that the task of the boa will be anchored, and that besides investigating criminal offenses, they will also be able to prevent and terminate criminal offenses by separating or sending people away. This allows them to act even when a fine or official report does not need to be made immediately. The powers are now clustered into six different domains. Some of these domains will be merged so that one boa can address more criminal offenses. This reduces operational hesitation and offers employers more flexibility in daily deployment.

Employers will become more than they are now co-owners of the quality and legality of the work of the boas employed by them. A neutral appearance of the boa uniform is part of this.

It is important that the equipment of the boa matches the task they perform and the circumstances in which that task is carried out. The standard equipment will consist of a radio and handcuffs. This allows communication with colleagues and the police when they need to take over the task. Any additional equipment will be made possible and may include a body camera, stab-proof or bulletproof vest. If necessary, a boa can be equipped with a short baton and pepper spray under certain conditions. This additional equipment is intended to protect the boa against dangerous situations. The principle remains that the boa should withdraw in such situations and not actively engage in dangerous situations. The police have enforcement power and means in such situations. A firearm is not part of the general additional equipment. Only a green boa can be equipped with a firearm under strict conditions, for example, when the police are too far away from their work area.

From discussions with the field, several bottlenecks have emerged. There is no clear picture of the task of the boa in the police function within society. There is operational hesitation due to limited powers, differing expectations, and uncertainties regarding requests for means of violence. Additionally, boas have little or very limited access to information systems, which restricts independent task execution. These bottlenecks will be gradually resolved in the coming period.

A boa is a full-fledged partner with their own task within the police function. The work focuses on keeping the environment livable and safe and serves as a point of contact for residents and entrepreneurs. The boa has an important signaling function towards the police and public administration and acts in cases of nuisance, disturbances of peace, and behavior that harms or threatens public order. They may use their investigative powers to arrest suspects, check identities, draw up official reports, and issue fines.

The changes will be gradually implemented to have the new system fully operational by 2028.