In the view of the VNG, the functions of the police are to serve their community, to protect the citizens in that community, and to investigate crimes that have been committed. To carry out these tasks effectively, police must be involved with the public through direct contact with citizens. Integration of police policy with the overall policy of local government and minimal organizational restrictions (except in technical matters) are required. To this end, the VNG favors nonspecialized policy units, mayoral administration of the police, and designation of key municipalities which are assigned extra manpower and material resources to be used in assisting other municipalities. Police in large cities are to be more tightly organized than at present. In the author's opinion, the view that police have only a local function is overly simplistic and theoretical. Local control of police and use of exclusively nonspecialized units are impractical -- given the complexity of modern police work, the needs for intraregional coordination, and demands for uniform police training. On the whole, the author considers the VNG proposal a reactionary response with the sole goal of increasing the power of municipalities. Notes are supplied.