Expatica news

Amsterdam police can claim psychological damages

9 May 2008

AMSTERDAM – De Telegraaf reports that Amsterdam police officers psychologically traumatised by violence will in future be able to recover from the perpetrators the money they spend on psychotherapy.

So far, only physical injuries were sufficient ground to claim damages from criminals and hooligans.

The measure was prompted by a 2007 incident in which a crowd of hooligans vented its anger on a police van, forcing the officers to flee into a restaurant.

In addition to suffering physical injuries, they also developed psychological complaints.

The hooligans were eventually prosecuted for inflicting psychological as well as physical damage.

Amsterdam police officers have expressed their satisfaction with this additional support in the fight against violence directed at police officers.

[Radio Netherlands / Georg Schreuder Hes / Flickr contributor tinken / Expatica]