Exploring The Field of Close Protection and Surveillance: Emerging Threats and Ethical Dilemmas.

Picture credits: Milosz Klinowski via Unsplash

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Join the JASON Institute at Leiden University, location Wijnhaven, on the 27th of September from 16.00 until 18.30 with closing drinks afterwards. 

In today’s world, the demand for close protection services is higher than ever. Politicians, lawyers, journalists, but also businesses and ordinary citizens have increasingly become the victim of violent threats. The Field of Close Protection and Surveillance (Bewaken en Beveiligen) in The Netherlands regulates the prevention of (terrorist) attacks on persons, objects and services. This ensures that these can function safely and undisturbed despite the threat.

Within the field of Close Protection and Surveillance arises a host of ethical challenges on how to balance the necessity of surveillance with the protection of individual privacy. But also, psychological impacts and the emergence of new threats in a landscape where limited information is available on these evolving dangers. And how should these be addressed without compromising ethical standards? This conference allows us to delve into these critical questions, offering thought-provoking insights and discussions. 

Our expert speakers will give workshops on ethical and psychological dilemmas in communicating with protectees, the obstacles considering information gathering and threat assessment and the up and down scaling of protective measures. Engage with leaders in the industry and join us for this enlightening conference and take the opportunity to network afterwards with drinks at Wijnhaven. 

Read the descriptions of the different workshops and the speaker biographies below:

Workshop descriptions 

      1. Ethical dilemmas and communication with protectees
Given by expert speakers Esther Tossaint and a senior advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, this workshop explores the complex ethical dilemmas that arise in the communication between protection professionals and their protectees, with a focus on psychological consequences. Through interactive discussions, you’ll get to dive into trust and information dilemma’s, ensuring ethical and effective communication with protectees.

        2. The dilemma of contextual (non-concrete information) in making threat assessments
In this workshop, Markwin van Helsdingen will delve into the challenges of making threat assessments based on contextual or non-concrete information. There is a fine line between overreacting and underestimating potential threats when hard evidence is lacking. Join this workshop to get a better understanding of strategies navigating uncertainty, decision making and the accuracy of threat assessment. 

          3. Dilemmas around scaling up and down on protective measures
This workshop, given by a senior advisor from the NCTV, focuses on the challenges of determining when and how to adjust protective measures in response to fluctuating threat levels. Participants will explore the risks and ethical considerations involved in scaling protection up or down, balancing safety with resource management. Through discussions and a case study, you’ll gain insights into making informed decisions without risking escalation or further risks. 

Speaker biographies

Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker: Professor Terrorism and Counterterrorism at Leiden University

Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker is a professor of Terrorism and Counterterrorism at Leiden University, focusing on radicalisation, jihadist terrorism, and the role of the police in counterterrorism and surveillance and security. Alongside Jeanine de Roy van Zuijdewijn, he leads a Massive Open Online Course on terrorism and counterterrorism. Moreover, as the advisor for academic affairs at the Dutch Police Academy, he oversees the research integration within the Dutch National Police and relevant partners.

Esther Tossaint: Strategic Advisor at the Dutch Police

Esther Tossaint is a Strategic Advisor at the Dutch Police and specialised in the subject of psychosocial effects of threat and surveillance. Previously she was the Head of the police psychologists, worked as a psychotrauma expert at ARQ National Psychotrauma Center and as a psychologist in the Dutch Royal Army and Military Police.

Markwin van Helsdingen: Threat Assessment Analyst Dutch Police

Markwin van Helsdingen holds an MSc in Cultural Anthropology from Leiden University and currently serves as a Threat Assessment Analyst with the Dutch Police. As an analyst within law enforcement he specialises in Intelligence, Terrorism, as well as Threat Mitigation within the domain of Public Security. Besides working for the Police, he is also a reserve officer in the Royal Netherlands Army, attached to the 43rd Brigade as an Operational Analyst.

Speaker: Senior advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security

Another workshop leader is a senior advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security. Here he is involved in ensuring psychosocial support for protectees. His background in the operational services of the police (Royal and Diplomatic Protection Service) and his background as a psychologist give him unique know-how on the topic.

Speaker: Senior advisor National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV)

One of our workshop leaders is a Senior Advisor at the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), specifically within the Surveillance and Protection Coordination Division. This advisor plays a key role in safeguarding foreign interests in the Netherlands, with responsibilities that include assessing and mitigating threats to entities such as embassies and international organizations.