Alicante Local Police Under Scrutiny: Staffing Shortages and Aging Workforce Highlighted

The non-permanent Plenary Commission to analyse and evaluate the management and functioning of the

Alicante Local Police, held this Thursday at the Town Hall, revealed a detailed picture of the current state of the municipal force. Political groups presented their questions to the current commissioner, José María Conesa, and the superintendent Fernando Aldave.

During their appearances, the summoned commanders highlighted issues such as the severe shortage of officers, the structural aging of the workforce, and the chronic lack of material resources, among other challenges hindering the Local Police's work.

From the PSOE, councillor Miguel Castelló pointed out that "the shortcomings we have been denouncing for months have been confirmed." Castelló urged the mayor, Luis Barcala, to urgently implement the necessary changes to overcome a situation that, he claimed, "directly affects the service provided to Alicante residents." He called for more officers, better technical means, an effective training plan, and greater specialisation, questioning whether the neighbourhood police would be reduced this summer to reinforce the beaches. Additionally, he demanded explanations on whether the recommended police-to-population ratio is being met and if the organisational structure presented in 2024 is achieving its goals.

Meanwhile, Vox spokesperson Carmen Robledillo warned that Alicante is short of nearly 200 officers to meet the standard set by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, highlighting that the city has a much lower police ratio than others like Elche or Valencia. "We have an aging workforce, especially in the command scale, which will lead to an even greater deficit in the coming years. This is a major concern for us because we are talking about the safety of Alicante residents," she declared.

From this formation, councillor Mario Ortolá recalled Commissioner Romero's words: "There is a certain lack of motivation in the workforce." "We are not surprised if we look at the state of many vehicles, some unmarked, taken from the Bacarot tow yard," the councillor stated. Ortolá claimed that thanks to Vox, the leasing system for police vehicles has been promoted for the first time and one of the largest purchases in recent years. "This commission is about that: detecting deficiencies and finding real solutions," he assured.

From Esquerra Unida Podem, Manolo Copé was blunt: "The Local Police cannot continue to be a summer backdrop for Postiguet photos while entire neighbourhoods like Colonia Requena, Florida, or Juan XXIII are without patrols. It is a very serious political irresponsibility." Copé described the situation of the force as "unsustainable and negligent." "The PP has failed in the essential: guaranteeing basic rights such as protection, proximity, and coexistence," Copé concluded.

The spokesperson of the formation presented a report with nine serious structural deficiencies, including the lack of personnel—only 450 active officers compared to the 650-700 needed—mass retirements without planned replacements, obsolete vehicles and weapons, insufficient technical material, degraded facilities, almost non-existent training, uncontrolled overtime, recycled uniforms, and more than 5,000 emergency calls unanswered in 2024, as he exposed. "They have known all this for years. And yet, they have chosen not to act," Copé denounced, presenting a package of urgent proposals, including the immediate call for positions, the reform of barracks, an independent audit of resources, and a psychological support program for staff.

Meanwhile, Compromís spokesperson Rafa Mas demanded explanations from the mayor himself, Luis Barcala, as head of the Alicante Local Police. Therefore, this formation will request his appearance in this commission. "We want him to give explanations and assume his political responsibility, which is to have the city with such an impoverished Local Police, with exhausted workers and barely any resources, services, and protection that endanger their lives and also the citizens of Alicante," the councillor highlighted.

From the government team, Security Councillor Julio Calero emphasised, at the swearing-in ceremony of 16 new officers, that new selection processes have been launched to strengthen the workforce and complete the command structure, highlighting the awarding of a contract valued at over 800,000 euros to renew all uniforms and accessories of the various units. This investment, he said, adds to the 250 vests and weapons already supplied, aiming to improve both the human and material resources of the force.

Calero also detailed the progressive improvement of the vehicle fleet with the addition of nine BMW motorcycles and nine Ford Kuga SUVs in the past year, as well as the upcoming delivery of six patrol cars, three off-road vehicles for rural surveillance, and two service vans, with an investment close to 600,000 euros. He announced that a contract to acquire 27 additional vehicles through leasing is well advanced, which will allow maintaining a modern and regularly renewed fleet.

Among the structural improvements, Calero highlighted the upcoming start of the completion works of the new Local Police Headquarters on Locutor Vicente Hipólito Avenue. The works will begin in September, and the building could be operational by April 2026. This space, he explained, will be key in the district reorganisation proposed to modernise and decentralise police management.

"The goal is to improve both operability and proximity to citizens, providing officers with better resources and a more efficient structure," the councillor concluded.