Eduard Sallent, the former head of the Mossos d'Esquadra, has requested leave and will depart from the police force following his dismissal related to the unsuccessful arrest of Carles Puigdemont.
Eduard Sallent, who served as the head of the Catalan police force Mossos d'Esquadra, announced that he is requesting a leave of absence and plans to leave the police in the coming weeks. His departure comes in the wake of his dismissal from command by the Government of Salvador Illa, following a failed operation that aimed to arrest former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont on August 8, 2024. This incident has sparked significant scrutiny and criticism regarding the leadership and management of the police force.
Sallent's tenure as head of the Mossos was marked by two distinct periods: from June 2019 to November 2020, and again from October 2022 to August 2024. Amidst the growing tensions over Catalan independence and the challenges posed by policing public demonstrations and protests, Sallent's leadership faced numerous controversies. His recent oversight over the operation intending to detain Puigdemont, who has been living in exile, proved detrimental to his position, leading to his eventual removal from command.
Having joined the Mossos in 1997 and climbing through the ranks to eventually become commissioner, Sallent's departure signals a notable shift in the leadership of the police just when the new socialist government assumes control. This change bears potential implications for law enforcement strategies in Catalonia, especially regarding issues surrounding civic order and handling political dissent, amid ongoing debates concerning the future of Catalan governance and autonomy.
