'Rijkspolitie Porsches' at the Louwman Museum

From 8 July through 4 September 2016, the exhibition 'Rijkspolitie Porsches' will be held at the Louwman Museum in The Hague. The exhibition consists of the thirteen different models and versions of the Porsches that the National Police used between 1962 and 1996.

This is the first time that all the models are being exhibited together. Many will remember the National Police Porsches as a familiar, respected, admired and sometimes even feared sight on the Dutch motorways.

In the early nineteen sixties, the Netherlands had only 500 kilometers of motorway, mostly of poor quality, not yet equipped with crash barriers and often without a hard shoulder. The increasing traffic volume, the rising number of serious collisions and the ambitious plans to expand the motorway network called for an appropriate solution. The establishment of the Special Traffic Duties Section of the National Police Corps (also known as the Porsche group) became a reality.

The clearly recognizable cars, combined with the white clothing, orange pot helmet and white gloves of the constables, made the National Police a spectacular sight. By driving about 20 kilometers faster than the average speed of the other traffic, the so called overtaking surveillance, road users were corrected and warned where necessary, and only in the last resort were they ticketed. The official report was no longer an end in itself, but a means.

The officers of this elite unit received extensive training at that time before they were allowed to take the Porsche out on the road. Selected officers had to be at least 25 years old, have driving experience, traffic awareness and, of course, be in good physical condition. A thorough psychological examination was also part of the selection process. Preference was furthermore given to married candidates with one or more children, because they were considered to have a greater sense of responsibility.

In addition to the thirteen different models and versions of the Porsches, the exhibition also includes a Range Rover once used by the National Police, two BMW motorcycles, and National Police uniforms.