lokalisatieteam

Lokalisatieteam (LOT) is a Dutch police unit specialized in locating persons or assets relevant to investigations. The team is typically deployed in complex cases where pinpointing a suspect’s or victim’s whereabouts is essential, such as organized crime, human trafficking, fraud, serious violence, or missing-person investigations.

Organization and mandate: LOTs are multidisciplinary and can operate regionally or nationally within the Dutch police. They bring together detectives, analysts, digital forensics specialists, financial investigators, and sometimes liaison officers. They work under the direction of regional police leadership and coordinate with the Public Prosecution Service (OM) and, when required, other authorities. Their mandate is to establish or confirm the location of persons or assets to enable arrests, seizures, or protective measures.

Methods and procedures: LOTs use a range of investigative techniques, including data analysis (such as telecom data and financial traces), surveillance, informant networks, and court‑authorized searches. They rely on warrants and privacy safeguards, and operate under the Dutch Code of Criminal Procedure and applicable privacy laws.

Operations and impact: LOTs contribute to cases by providing location information that enables arrests or recoveries. They are typically activated for high-priority cases and may transfer information to other police units to support operations.

History and oversight: The Lokalisatieteam concept emerged as part of the professionalization and modernization of Dutch policing in the late 20th to early 21st century and has since become a standard tool in serious-crime investigations. Oversight is provided by the Public Prosecution Service and internal review bodies to ensure legality and proportionality.