Adolfo Medina (Leon, 1964) and Daniel Lopez (Madrid, 1979), president and vice president of the Police Professional Union (SPP), speak to 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 Superior Police Headquarters of Cataloniain 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 so.”
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.”
Regarding the disclosures of THE WORLD of the exchange of messages in which Marlaska asked for the placement of two friendly police officers at Francisco Martinezex number two of the Interior during the mandate 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 include a series of requirements to apply for them.”
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