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On the whole, the Amsterdam Police ("Politie") are very cool towards us visitors, the unwritten rule seems to be "Don`t fuck with us by causing trouble and we won`t fuck with you" Most speak English to some degree and they maintain a high visibility in Centrum, on foot, on horseback, in cars and operation vans. Most, if not all, Dutch Police carry guns. I have always found the Police very helpful, friendly and efficient on the few encounters I have had with them. They are generally the coolest Police I have come across in the World, but I have also seen them in action, and they are no "pussycats" ! This particularly applies to Police visits to Coffeeshops. By trying to take photos of them or loudly "Dissing" them, you will not be helping anyone, least of all the Coffeeshop staff - Sorry to have to say this, but I have seen visitors doing exactly this !! Should you need to report theft/loss of your Passport or anything else, (God forbid !), the main central station is in Warmoestraat next door to "Hill Street Blues" Coffeeshop (which is why this shop is so named !). The copy of the report you are given in the case of Passport loss is usually sufficient to get you back into the UK, (if you are a UK national) -(Based on personal experience: UK Citizens do not have to contact their Embassy in Amsterdam in such cases, but you must report the loss of the Passport to the issuing Passport Office immediately you get home in order to get it canceled, - your stolen Passport may be used to obtain Credit Cards in your name, among other things. It is worthwhile making a photocopy of the important pages of your Passport to take with you and keep separate.) You will need to report any theft/loss of valuables to claim on Travel Insurance (which, of course, you have bought - haven`t you?) - So keep the copy of the Police report safe !
 
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