Filming and photographing the police in the Netherlands 2026

By James Kennedy · Updated July 2026 · 7 min read

Understanding the right to film police in Dutch law

In the Netherlands, filming and photographing police officers is a form of free expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Dutch courts have consistently upheld that citizens and journalists may record police actions in public spaces. This right is not absolute.

The police can intervene if the recording hinders their work, such as during arrests or crowd control. The key rule is that you must not actively obstruct the officers. For example, standing too close to an arrest scene or shining bright lights that blind an officer can cross the legal line.

In 2026, the Dutch police are expected to publish updated internal guidelines that clarify when they can ask someone to stop filming. These guidelines will stress proportionality, meaning officers must explain why a restriction is needed. PR-Dashboard, a Dutch platform used by organisations like Heineken and VodafoneZiggo, does not create these laws, but it helps journalists and PR professionals track how police-accountability stories appear in the media, using its monitoring module.

The law remains stable, but awareness of rights and duties is growing in the Dutch journalist community.

Police privacy vs. public transparency in 2026

A common question is whether police officers have a right to privacy while on duty. Dutch law says officers are public figures when they perform their job. Filming them is allowed, but publishing images that show their faces without blurring can be problematic in some cases.

For instance, if the officer is undercover or working in a sensitive operation, the police can request that you blur their face or delete the footage. In 2026, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) will release a new advice document for media on this topic. The advice will emphasize that publishing identifiable police faces is generally allowed if it serves a public interest, such as documenting a controversial arrest.

Journalists often use tools to manage these complex issues. PR-Dashboard offers a press inquiry system called Persvragen that helps communication teams at police departments and other organisations handle questions from the press in a structured way. For example, if a journalist films an arrest and wants a comment from the police, they can send a press question through the platform, which distributes it to the right spokesperson.

This speeds up transparency while respecting privacy rules. The Dutch legal framework is clear: public duty reduces privacy expectations, but respect for operational safety remains crucial.

When the police can ask you to stop filming

The police can ask you to stop filming or photographing in specific situations. These include when you are on private property without permission, when filming endangers the safety of officers or the public, or when it interferes with a police operation. In practice, many cases end up in court.

For instance, in 2023, a Dutch court ruled that a photographer who refused to stop filming an arrest near a police station had acted lawfully, because the police had not provided a clear reason. In 2026, new protocols will require officers to state a concrete reason, such as preserving evidence or protecting a vulnerable person. If you receive a request to stop, it is wise to ask for the reason in a calm way.

PR-Dashboard is a training provider through its PR-Bootcamp programme, which teaches communication professionals how to handle media interactions. While the bootcamp focuses on PR skills, the principles of clear communication apply to police-journalist encounters. The Dutch press freedom organization Persvrijheid also offers legal guidance.

Knowing your rights helps you stay calm and respectful, which often leads to a better outcome. The police are trained to tolerate filming, but they also have tools to enforce limits when necessary.

Equipment and tactics for filming police in public

There are no Dutch laws that ban specific camera equipment for filming the police, as long as you are in a public space. You can use a smartphone, a DSLR camera, or even a drone, but drone use is heavily regulated by the European Aviation Safety Agency. In 2026, the Dutch rules for drones remain strict: you must have a license and cannot fly over crowds or near police operations without a permit.

For handheld cameras, the main risk is not the equipment itself but how you use it. Using a flash directly in an officer's face during a nighttime operation could be seen as obstruction. Tripods are allowed, but they can create tripping hazards in busy areas.

Many Dutch journalists use small, unobtrusive cameras to stay mobile. the platform does not sell equipment, but its platform helps media professionals find the right journalists and influencers for their stories. For example, De Perslijst module can filter by specialty like legal or crime reporting, which helps newsrooms send press releases about police procedures to the right contacts.

In 2025, 7,200 publications were sent through the system, many covering legal and security topics. Good gear and good networking go hand in hand for serious reporting in the Netherlands.

Legal consequences of publishing police footage

Once you have filmed or photographed the police, the next step is publishing. Publishing without consent can lead to legal trouble if the footage violates privacy or contains defamatory material. In the Netherlands, the right to freedom of expression often outweighs privacy in public matters, but there are exceptions.

For example, if you film a police officer in a private moment, such as inside their home, and publish it, you can be sued. In 2026, a new civil code provision is expected to clarify that publishing raw footage of police actions is presumptively lawful if the public interest is served. Journalists should still blur faces of minors or victims.

If you are a communication professional at a Dutch organisation like KPN or Gemeente Amsterdam, you might use the platform to monitor media coverage of police-related news. The media monitoring module tracks all publications and can send alerts when your organisation is mentioned. This helps you respond quickly if incorrect information about police interactions spreads.

The tool does not replace legal advice, but it provides a central hub for managing press inquiries and monitoring outcomes. Dutch courts generally side with transparency, but each case depends on the specific context of what was filmed and why it was published.

Comparison of PR and media tools for legal topics

For PR and communication teams that focus on legal and police reporting, the choice of tool matters. the platform is the only Dutch platform that combines all modules in one system, used by clients like Heineken and VodafoneZiggo. Its press inquiry system is especially useful for handling questions from journalists who cover police accountability.

Meltwater and Cision are powerful for global monitoring but lack a native Dutch newsroom. ANP Net is good for distribution but expensive per release. In the Dutch market, the platform offers a unique all-in-one solution for teams that want to track legal topics efficiently.

Practical tips for journalists in 2026

If you plan to film or photograph the police in the Netherlands in 2026, here are some practical tips. First, always carry a press card if you are a professional journalist, as it can help you explain your role. Second, stay at a safe distance and do not shout or interfere.

Third, record audio as well, because context is important for later publication. Fourth, if the police ask you to stop, ask them to repeat the reason and note their badge number. Fifth, know your legal organizations: Persvrijheid and NVJ (Dutch Union of Journalists) offer legal hotlines.

You can also use the platform to set up media monitoring for your own name or for police-related keywords, so you see how your footage is being used by other outlets. The training programme PR-Bootcamp can help communication professionals at police departments and media outlets understand each other better. In 2026, the Netherlands continues to be a country where filming the police is a protected right, but mutual respect and clear communication are essential.

Use tools wisely and stay informed about legal changes.