Local police officers in Rojales have announced that they will no longer volunteer for overtime shifts outside their regular working hours, including cover for local festivals and municipal events. Union representatives denounced a lack of negotiation and treatment received from the town council, demanding an urgent update to the pay supplement received for these extraordinary services. The Rojales branch of the People’s Party (PP) has joined in the criticism and requested explanations from the Councillor for Public Safety.
Overtime performance is a frequent source of conflict across many municipalities, rooted in financial demands regarding overtime pay—which has been frozen for years—and its actual disbursement. Municipal sources indicate that the town council has run out of budget to pay for overtime this year. Unions state that the situation was compounded by comments from the Councillor for Security, Antonio Javier López (PSOE), who reportedly suggested the municipality could handle event security using Civil Protection personnel, despite them lacking authority for such tasks. A letter supporting the refusal to perform voluntary overtime was backed by 29 members of the Rojales Local Police, representing well over 70 per cent of the 40-member staff.
Union representatives are calling for an urgent update to the overtime pay supplement and formal negotiations regarding service conditions. They emphasised that officers regularly sacrificed free time to ensure municipal needs were covered. Staff representatives explicitly disassociated the conflict from the Local Police Headquarters and force commanders, attributing the issues entirely to the political management of the town council.
According to the union, working conditions have deteriorated due to a lack of negotiation, systematic disregard for staff, and a failure to value the work performed by officers. The document submitted to the town council explains that officers had regularly assisted with extraordinary security needs alongside their standard shifts, rest periods, and professional obligations.
The trigger for the action occurred during a meeting between union representatives and Councillor Antonio López. Officers claim the councillor stated he did not need the Local Police to carry out events organised by the town council. Officers concluded that if their extra participation was not deemed necessary, their voluntary availability outside regular working hours should not be relied upon. The governing team has not commented on the statement or the document issued in support of the police officers.
Unions added that the town council repeatedly claimed two officers would suffice for most events, with remaining needs met by external volunteers—an approach the representatives feel undervalues their role. The measure strictly affects voluntary, extraordinary services for festivals and municipal functions, and officers clarified it does not impact regular duties. The refusal will remain in place until staff consider circumstances appropriate to reconsider.
The People’s Party of Rojales supported the union complaint, asking the councillor responsible to publicly explain how the situation reached this point, why officers were stated to be unneeded, and how security coverage for upcoming municipal events will be guaranteed. The town council and Security Councillor have not yet provided their version regarding the allegations made.