After the head of that unit, Fernando Gómez, allegedly received confirmation of a municipal fine of 120 euros for dumping belongings and rubble in an organic waste container, agents of the National Police attached to the Regional Police based in Elche conducted an exhaustive police deployment of a couple of days in the urban centre of San Fulgencio. The deployment included inspections of approximately twenty small businesses. ThisIsTorrevieja reported that this occurred during the month of March.
Governor’s Office Sources from the Ministry of the Interior have clarified that the National Police’s collection of confidential information is a preliminary and confidential process that occurs before any disciplinary proceedings are initiated. Its objective is to confirm the veracity of reported incidents involving a police officer and ascertain whether they qualify as malfeasance. “It does not constitute a sanction; however, it may result in disciplinary action if the allegations are verified.”
Creating a file with a clerk and an investigator is a relatively common practice in all police forces, particularly when investigating incidents in their interactions with the public. This is the very act of initiating a confidential investigation. It is also employed to resolve disputes between officers and with superiors. This measure is dismissed at an alarming rate in these instances, and its implementation is perceived as a warning or reprimand within the police force.
The police officer was sanctioned in December of last year after he observed her dumping rubble in a household refuse container and reported the incident to the Local Police, who are authorised to impose fines in accordance with municipal ordinances. Afterward, Suma verified the fine, and the officer, along with another individual who invoked the officer’s status as a police commander, visited municipal offices to appeal the fine.
Verification
The City Council verified the visit of the commanding officer, who was accompanied by a resident of San Fulgencio, to the mayor’s office and City Hall, as well as the ongoing complaints from residents regarding the inspections and fines they have begun receiving, with a particular emphasis on March 8th and 9th. A total of 20 businesses, including hairdressers, bakeries, and bars, have been inspected. The majority of these businesses will be required to address deficiencies in safety, capacity, and accessibility. When conducting this type of on-the-ground work, the Regional Police typically concentrate on hospitality and entertainment establishments. According to municipal sources from the City Council presided over by José María Ballester (PP), the National Police officers who arrived from Elche even blocked the street with police vehicles during this investigation without notifying the Local Police of their actions or requesting their support.
In the province’s larger cities, this regional police force conducts frequent investigations, particularly during the summer, to guarantee that regulations regarding health and safety are adhered to. However, such thorough examinations are entirely uncommon in a municipality with a population of 10,000 and an urban center that is six times smaller than the surrounding residential area.
The Autonomous Police
The Regional Government supervises the National Police units of the Generalitat Valenciana; however, they are not involved in their organisational structure, which is identical to that of other police forces. This unit is comprised of approximately 500 officers in the Valencian Community, with 75 of them stationed in the province of Alicante. Its level of authority is markedly distinct from that of other regional police forces, including those in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Navarre. The pale blue colour of its police vehicles, which are adorned with the regional flag, is its most distinctive feature. Its uniform is nearly identical to that of the National Police.
