Public Prosecution Service: shooting by female officer during arrest in Haaren was lawful

News report | 30-12-2025 | 10:52

On the evening in question, the police went to Haaren following a report about a man who had broken a neighbors window and was waving a knife.

When two officers arrived, the man fled on a scooter. After a short pursuit, during which he ignored police stop signals, the man fell in a field. Suddenly, he pulled out a hammer and threatened to strike the officer closest to him.

The officer took her baton and struck the man on his arm, which had no effect. She then drew her service weapon and fired a single aimed shot at the mans legs. At the same time, her colleague fired his stun gun twice at the man, who then threw the hammer in their direction. A third officer then also fired his stun gun at the man to subdue him. After the suspect fell into a dry ditch, he was arrested with the help of a dog handler. The man sustained injuries during the shooting incident.

Personal safety

As usual, the National Police Investigation Service conducted an investigation into the use of the service weapon by the police. Based on this investigation, the Public Prosecution Service concludes that the officer was forced to take up her firearm for her own safety. She was threatened with attack by a man holding a hammer.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, the officer acted in accordance with the Police Act and Official Instructions and fired to avert immediate danger to her own life or serious bodily injury. That the officer did not warn before firing a shot is understandable given the facts and circumstances.

Use of stun gun

The use of the stun gun by the two other officers was also assessed by the Public Prosecution Service. The investigation shows there was an acute threat and the suspect did not respond to the order to drop the hammer. The Public Prosecution Service therefore concludes that the use of the stun guns was also lawful.