Chief of Police Janny Knol: “As police chief, Fred has meant an incredible amount for the city - and region - of Rotterdam, for the colleagues and the police profession, especially in the field of investigation. He is appreciated and respected there, both within and outside our organization. Several times, ‘his unit’ came under fire, partly due to the work climate. This affected him personally. I have seen how he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to improve this. He initiated a necessary and now irreversible movement. Also, in the further development of the corps after the formation of the National Police, Fred played an important and unifying role, with expertise and an eye for what is needed. He deserves our great thanks for his years of dedication to the safety of society.”

Fred Westerbeke began his career in the police nearly 45 years ago. He started in Rotterdam-South and was, among other things, deputy chief of the Kennemerland Corps and the National Police Services Corps. In 2009, he transferred to the Public Prosecution Service and was, among other things, chief prosecutor of the Rotterdam office and the National Office, where he was ultimately responsible for the criminal investigation into the downing of flight MH17. In 2020, he returned to the police in his current role as police chief.