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Police chief's passion for falcons brings nature to Apeldoorn headquarters
🇳🇱 Netherlands /Culture & Society

Police chief's passion for falcons brings nature to Apeldoorn headquarters

From NRC Handelsblad · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Police chief Gert Veurink, a passionate birdwatcher, has facilitated the installation of a nesting box for peregrine falcons at the Apeldoorn police headquarters.
  • Peregrine falcons, once nearly extinct in the Netherlands, are now being reintroduced to urban environments with nesting boxes, and Veurink's initiative has been successful, with the nest producing four to six eggs annually.
  • Veurink, who also leads the police's environmental portfolio, sees the falcons' presence as a way to foster appreciation for nature and protect it, while the police are also working to improve their approach to environmental crime.

Gert Veurink, the chief of police in Oost-Nederland and a dedicated birdwatcher, has brought a unique passion to his role by championing the presence of peregrine falcons at the Apeldoorn police headquarters. From his ninth-floor office, Veurink oversees not only the largest police region in the Netherlands but also a thriving falcon nest installed on the building.

That is very good, because you only protect something if you love it.

— Gert VeurinkVeurink explains the importance of fostering a connection with nature through the presence of the falcons.

The peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on Earth capable of speeds over 300 kilometers per hour, was nearly extinct in the Netherlands at the end of the last century. However, initiatives like Veurink's, which involve placing nesting boxes on tall structures, have helped the species make a comeback. Veurink's own nest has been remarkably successful, producing four to six eggs almost every year since its installation.

It really brings it to life that peregrine falcons are breeding here.

— Gert VeurinkVeurink expresses his enthusiasm for the successful breeding of peregrine falcons at the police headquarters.

Initially hesitant to reveal his extensive love for nature, which includes a passion for dragonflies and a notable rediscovery of a lost species, Veurink has shed his shyness. He finds that his colleagues are increasingly impressed by the birds, a sentiment he encourages. "It really brings it to life that peregrine falcons are breeding here," Veurink stated. "That's very good, because you only protect something if you love it."

how to seriously improve the approach to environmental crime.

— Gert VeurinkVeurink discusses the police's efforts to enhance their strategy against environmental offenses.

Beyond his avian advocacy, Veurink also holds the national portfolio for the environment among the twelve police chiefs. He revealed that the police, along with the Public Prosecution Service and other investigative agencies, have been reviewing how to "seriously improve" their approach to environmental crime. A plan of action is set to be presented on June 24, focusing on better safeguarding the police's environmental capacity.

how we will better safeguard our environmental capacity.

— Gert VeurinkVeurink outlines the upcoming plan of action for the police's environmental efforts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by NRC Handelsblad in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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