The mayor of Rotterdam Aboutaleb wants to investigate whether a so-called paintball gun can be added to the equipment of agents. The reason for this is the Coolsingel riots of 19 November last year, in which the police and emergency services were attacked with stones and fireworks.
It is up to the Minister of Justice and Security to add the paintball gun to the arsenal. Aboutaleb will therefore bring the plan to the attention of Minister Yesilgöz of Justice and Security Rijnmond.
Paintball guns are currently not used by the police anywhere in the Netherlands. Special units are already equipped with it in Belgium. The advantage of such rifles is that suspects can be apprehended without killing or seriously injuring them. Despite this, a shot to the body with such a weapon can be painful.
Following the riots on the Coolsingel, during which officers felt compelled to fire, the police union ACP has already asked the cabinet to equip officers and members of the mobile unit with non-lethal weapons. Police are currently investigating whether officers should be given other equipment.
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