The military police force Koninklijke Marechaussee has disciplined 11 officers who worked at Schiphol airport for sending ‘discriminatory stickers’ in a Whatsapp group.

One police officer, in a leadership role, has been sacked for ‘sending the stickers and for his role in the events’. Another has been moved to a new location and seven others have formal notes in their personnel files.

The decisions were taken after an internal investigation following a report about the Whatsapp group.

‘The images and the behaviour are unacceptable for the military police,’ commander Hans Leijtens said in a press statement. ‘Everyone is responsible for a safe work environment in which we deal with each other in a professional, respectful manner.’

The military police, who carry out border controls, are part of the ministry of defence.

Last week, the national police force announced a shake-up in their procedures to deal with racism and discrimination.

Police officers caught making racist remarks will no longer get away with a ‘good chat’, acting police chief Liesbeth Huyzer told the NRC in an interview. ‘The most important message is there will always be some form of sanction, and if necessary, redundancy,’ Huyzer said.