The Spanish government acknowledges that the absence of national budgets hinders wage increases for national police officers in Catalonia, contributing to a worrying trend of attrition within law enforcement in the region.
The Spanish government has recognized that the lack of national budgets is significantly impacting its ability to provide salary increases for National Police officers stationed in Catalonia. This acknowledgment was made by State Secretary for Security, Aina Calvo, during a meeting with police union representatives, where she highlighted the growing trend of police officers leaving Catalonia for better opportunities in other autonomous communities. The ongoing shortage of financial resources is preventing the implementation of necessary measures to retain these essential public servants.
Calvo indicated that the government is aware of the potential consequences of this exodus, which threatens the staffing of law enforcement bodies in Cataluña. Officers are increasingly reporting dissatisfaction with wages and benefits, prompting them to seek positions in regions with more competitive compensation. As Catalonia faces a decline in the number of police officers available to serve and protect its citizens, this situation raises concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in the region.
Looking ahead, Calvo assured that in an upcoming police council meeting, an initiative will be proposed targeting officers who have served in high command positions in both Catalonia and the Balearic Islands for a minimum of four years. This initiative is seen as a potential solution to address retention challenges by providing certain benefits or salary adjustments to long-serving officers, thereby promoting stability within the police force in these autonomous communities.
