Adolfo Medina (León, 1964) and Daniel López (Madrid, 1979), president and vice president of the Professional Police Union (SPP), speak with EL MUNDO about the management of Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and the current situation of the Security Corps. In this sense, the union representatives stress that a definitive boost must be given to “modernization”, in addition to expressing discontent towards the rejection of their proposals in the development of a new regulation that regulates the National Police: “The situation can be greatly improved, we have been paralyzed for a long time that affects such important aspects as promotions, transfers, decorations and conditions, both salary and infrastructure”.
They also state that “investment has been made to improve police stations, but it has been insufficient”, and they specify: “We have buildings that with great difficulty pass the Occupational Risk Prevention inspections, and others, simply, have not passed. Such as the Vilanova i la Geltrú Police Station”. Specifically, Medina points out that since the pandemic the rotating shift work system has caused all the human resources that the Police have not to be well optimized: “We need a thorough review of the working day and a large part of the regulations that regulate it. We continue with laws in force from the last century, even pre-constitutional”.
In relation to the scandals that have plagued Marlaska in the last legislature, the vice president of the SPP mentions that the Minister of the Interior “has not had it easy” with the President of the Government, who considers the Police as a “superfluous expense”. López goes on to explain that the Interior Minister’s compliance with not closing the Higher Police Headquarters of Catalonia must be recognized, in addition to the police replacement rate, which, without reaching 100%, has been implemented considerably: “As in all legislatures, some decisions have been correct and others less”.
Without deviating, the union leader explains that Marlaska has ignored the collective’s demands because “no progress has been made in achieving a dignified retirement for national police officers, like the rest of the regional or local police forces that operate in Spain”. And he continues: “It is disappointing that he did not want to open the negotiating table for equalization.” According to López, the minister has not recognized the police as a risky profession either: “When decisions are made, it is almost impossible to satisfy all parties.”
In relation to the revelations of EL MUNDO of the exchange of messages in which Marlaska requested the placement of two friendly police officers to Francisco Martínez, former number two of the Interior during the term of Mariano Rajoy, the SPP expresses its opinion. It will not object to candidates who meet the requirements for the position, however it will not support those who constitute a misuse of power: “We are fighting for transparency in the publication of all the positions in the catalog of National Police jobs, and that these carry a series of requirements to qualify for them.”
On the other hand, Medina points out that the illegal dismissal of Civil Guard colonel Diego Pérez de los Cobos, signed by Marlaska, has not had a direct impact on the police institution since there are substantial differences between the National Police and the Civil Guard. What they do clarify is that these dismissals “must be well-founded and cannot be left to free will, since we are in a rule of law.”
The future measures that the union will take are not yet fully written. Both leaders stress the importance of waiting for what the voters decide in the general elections and for the future appointments of the Ministry of the Interior, the Secretary of State for Security and the General Directorate of the Police: “We will sit down to talk with whoever is necessary, to negotiate for the general interest of all the police commanders we represent”. The president and vice president assume the responsibility and work proactively to seek all the necessary improvements in the institution with a clear goal, “the benefit of each and every one of the citizens.”
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