“Together we care; Together we identify”
Izanne de Wit MCI
Chief Inspector
Head of National Expertise Center Missing Persons
National Coordinator Missing Persons
Current President PEN-MP
About Izanne de Wit
More than 25 years ago, I started my career at the police in the surveillance service. After a few years, attracted by the field of investigation I became a detective. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Policing and my Master’s degree in Criminal Investigations. I wrote my Master’s thesis about juvenile delinquency. More specifically, about girls’ crime. After graduating, I was appointed as Criminal Investigation Coordinator of a Cold Case team. About 12 years ago I specialized in the field of missing person investigations. This made me see the versatility of the investigation of missing persons. I followed a pre-master in the subject of missing children, healthcare institutions and human trafficking. In 2023 I founded the Dutch National Expertise Center for Missing Persons (LOEP).
Even though I have been working in the investigative field of missing persons for quite some time, I am still very driven and motivated. I like the complex investigative problems that the investigation of missing persons entails. Every level; from operation to strategy. It brings me satisfaction and that is not the primary source of my motivation:
I have experienced the enormous gratitude for our work of those left behind. Considering the devastating impact a missing person often has in families. The enormous uncertainty, the stress, the sadness and the helplessness. I noticed that the police are often their last straw. We considered to be the ones who can put an end to the unbearable uncertainty. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, but we can at least do our upper best. We need to do this as effective, efficient, and competent as possible, from investigation to reporting. To ensure that every police officer uses and is able to use his knowledge and skills optimal, I am very intrinsically motivated to do my utmost as president of the PEN-MP to strengthen and improve the cooperation and investigation of missing persons between the various international police services.