The Dutch contribution to European Union Police Mission I and II (EUPM)
On 8 November 2002, the Council of Ministers offered another 8 civilian police officials in addition to the 20 military personnel from the Royal Marechaussee (KMar). In practice, the number of KMar officials fluctuated between 20 and 22, while 8 to 11 civilian police officials took part.
They were deployed for a year at a time. In May 2002, a KMar NCO was sent to Bosnia Herzegovina for planning purposes. He was joined by a colleague on 2 September. Most of the remaining Dutch members travelled to the mission area in the months of November and December.
Training and instruction for police officers
The Marechaussee officials provided training and instruction in the various supervisory services of the local police organisations in the different cantons. The civilian police officials provided training and assistance for the local medium level and senior police executives. On the whole, the mission was successful in its first year.
Different standards
It did turn out, however, that the same methods and standards were not always applied. EUPM decided, therefore, to provide collective training for all police advisers prior to the mission. Brigadier General J.H. Groeneveld of the Royal Marechaussee held the post of deputy head of EUPM from July 2004 to 31 December 2005.
Progress
Because significant police reforms were not forthcoming, the EUPM was not able to operate effectively at all times and widespread corruption was also to blame for the failure of many projects. Some progress had been made, however, so the Dutch government decided to supply 10 people for EUPM II: 4 military personnel from the Royal Marechaussee and 6 civilian police officers.