Dutch police forces are extremely well-trained in defusing conflicts but overly reluctant to use force - even when clearly necessary, according to free newspaper De Pers.

Groningen police chief Cor de Lange says, "We have carried de-escalation too far. Sometimes you simply have to draw a line."

A recent report drawn up by the police academy is rather blunt in its conclusions. One-quarter of police officers do not use force when they should because they fear senior officers would not back them up. Also, training on how to deal with risky situations is considered woefully inadequate.

(gsh/ae/imm)

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