Intimacies of Remote Policing - Innovational Experimentation and Drone Use by the Dutch National Police

Abstract

This thesis explores the innovational experimentation and utilization of drones by the Dutch National Police within a securitized context. By examining the intersection of drone technology and domestic policing, this research analyzes how theoretical frameworks of securitization and drone theory apply to practical policing scenarios in the Netherlands. The study delves into the Dutch police's policies and rules of engagement regarding drone usage, emphasizing the culture of experimentation and the implications for democratic surveillance and privacy. Through a comprehensive analysis of policy documents, interviews with police personnel, and case studies such as the Rotterdam Housing Protest, the research identifies discrepancies between the official protocols and the practical deployment of drones. The findings reveal that the Dutch police often frame deviations from standard procedures as part of an experimental approach, particularly under emergency conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic. This approach raises critical questions about transparency, accountability, and the balance between security and civil liberties. By applying Marijn Hoijtink’s concept of "experimental warfare" and exploring the bureaucratic nature of police work as discussed in drone theory, the thesis provides a nuanced understanding of the potential risks and ethical dilemmas inherent in operating police drones. The study contributes to the broader discourse on the technologization of policing and offers recommendations for future research on the integration of surveillance technologies within democratic societies.

This research aims to bridge the gap in social science literature regarding the use of police drones in Europe and to initiate the development of a theoretical framework for understanding domestic drone usage in urban policing contexts.