Local Police in Benidorm unhappy at proposed pay cuts

Guardia Civil Trafico

In Spain the police are divided up into 3 categories;  Guardia Civil, National Police and the Policia Local. All Police Officers in Spain carry guns.
Here is a really brief outline of the main responsibilities of each category ;
Guardia Civil - wear green uniform and are feared by all - especially "Trafico". They are often seen setting up road blocks, with machine guns and stingers at the ready! These are the ones that will pull you over when driving and usually find something to fine you for - and remember they issue on the spot fines. Be afraid, very afraid.... They answer to the Ministry of Defence and are considered to be part of the army therefore are not permitted to be in any unions or allowed to strike.
National Police - wear navy uniforms and their main responsibilities include terrorism,crime, immigration and drug enforcement. They are the ones that issue all identity documentation such as NIE numbers to foreigners. They answer to the Ministry of Interior.

Local Police outside a school directing traffic

Policia Local - these are your local bobbies and only have authority in their own towns - they answer to the council who also pay their wages. They are responsible for local low level crime- anything half serious and they call the National Police in, collecting Town Hall fees (such as stall holder fees at the local weekly market) and supposedly monitoring local traffic. However they tend to ignore the double parked cars with flashing hazard lights, causing a mile long jam as the driver pops into the bakery for a baguette or to buy a packet of cigarettes. What the Local Police are mostly recognised for is playing at being a lollypop lady at school time! Four times a day, you are guaranteed to see a pair of them, whistles in mouths stopping traffic to allow children to cross the street. In the mornings from about 8.45am until 9.10am then again at lunchtime at either 12 noon or 12.30pm - they start at different times in each town. Then out they come again at either 3.00 or 3.30pm when the children go back after lunch and finally at the end of the day - either 4.30 or 5pm. My advice to anyone is avoid school areas at all of these times - it will take you an eternity to get through. The Police stop the traffic when he or she can see a child approaching, but still 100 metres away - and you have to stop and wait until they have crossed. They will then wave and simultaneously blow their whistles at full volume for you to go. Its really rather comical to watch - once!

Policia Local station in Benidorm

But there is much discord and tension with the Local Police in Benidorm at the moment. Following a meeting at the Social Centre on Wednesday evening with the Mayor Agustin Navarro and his officials, tempers ran high as proposals were announced for cuts to salaries and withdrawal of allowances. The Mayor tried to calm the situation and explain the critical financial situation that the council were in, but it did not go down well. The cuts are being actioned from next month and in protest Police Officers will begin a campaign of protests and demonstrations, beginning on Friday. They have announced  that they will stop providing cover for special events such as concerts and fiestas, sporting events and crowd control during busy holiday periods. Fransisco Gonzalez, Chairman of the SPPLB Police Association and acting on the Police Officers behalf added that they will also stop repairing their uniforms if damaged and discontinue providing their own firearms (guns). Only about 40 are provided by the Town Hall and the remaining 200 odd officers have to provide their own as there are not enough resources.

In these economically strained times everyone is having to make cutbacks to salaries, and the Local Police force are no exception. But what of the "allowances" I hear you ask - what do they get ..... well this may shock you. They receive a bonus if they turn up for work every day and are "upset" that this is being withdrawn! In many areas of Spain, the Policia Local (as they are called) are often on higher salaries than the Guardia - but have know where near any of the same responsibilities. Im afraid that the gravy train has run out of bisto granules - they tend to keep office hours unless there is a local fiesta, when they can rake up abit more overtime and appear to have a rather cushy number. It will be interesting to see if visible policing in the town is reduced whilst this ongoing fracas is resolved!
 The 24 hr emergency telephone number for any of the police services in Spain is 112.


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