The Alicante Guardia Civil has entered a new era of leadership with a clear roadmap designed to tackle modern criminal threats. Colonel Francisco Poyato has officially assumed command of the Alicante Guardia Civil Headquarters, following the retirement of José Hernández Mosquera in July. Having served in the province for more than a decade, Poyato views his new leadership role as an immense professional and personal challenge.
“I am taking on a new responsibility, the command of the Alicante headquarters,” the colonel declared during his inauguration speech at a formal ceremony held at the Casa Mediterráneo. For Poyato, leading this unit means managing a deployment that covers 84% of the province’s surface area and provides security to 133 out of 141 municipalities.
The colonel highlighted the massive scale of his jurisdiction, noting that it protects a real population of close to two million residents. Given this scenario, he stated that he is taking on the role “with enthusiasm and with the firm determination to give the very best of myself in fulfilling the mission that has been entrusted to me.”
Poyato has a clear roadmap for his mandate: “to guarantee the security of the citizens of this province,” describing the area as one with a growing population alongside highly demanding business and tourism sectors. “This implies assuming the leadership of this headquarters with a clear idea of what citizens legitimately demand from the Guardia Civil,” he stressed.
Among his priority objectives, the colonel emphasised the need to “prevent crime in the countryside, in towns and in cities.” To achieve this, he intends to develop specific security plans tailored to the “criminal trends in each of our jurisdictions.”
The battle against modern forms of criminality sits at the heart of his strategy. Poyato plans to champion “boosting training and specialisation in crime investigation, especially in the fight against cybercrime.”
The colonel also reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the most vulnerable groups. “We will continue to combat gender-based violence by continuously improving our operational procedures and the training of our officers,” he asserted firmly.
Regarding the economic engine of the province, the colonel announced that “permanent specific plans for the protection of the tourist population” will be implemented. These plans aim to adapt to the current reality of “all-year-round tourism” across the Costa Blanca.
Poyato also shared some words for the elderly people in the province, promising to “pay special attention” to them. The goal is to “prioritise all the assistance they may require from us and offer them our advice on security and self-protection.”
The colonel was keen to praise the human capital he now leads: “I am counting on the men and women who form part of this headquarters and who, day by day, demonstrate an excellent level of technical and human preparation.” He added: “Over these past 13 years, I have been a witness to their professionalism and commitment.”
During his speech, Poyato recalled the historical essence of the force, quoting the Guardia Civil Handbook by the Duke of Ahumada. An officer, he reminded those present, “shall always strive to be a reassuring presence for the distressed” and must “watch over the property and security of everyone.”
Finally, Colonel Poyato thanked his family for their support, particularly his wife and his two daughters, whom he described as his “best advisers.” Backed by the authorities and his 3,000 officers, Poyato begins a new chapter focused on the “benefit of the security of this province.”
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