Eduard Sallent, who previously held the position of chief of the Mossos d'Esquadra, has unexpectedly requested a leave of absence from the Catalan police force, and has now declared his new role at SIMA Consulting, a consultancy headed by Raül Murcia, a former right-hand man of Oriol Junqueras. This move marks a significant shift in Sallent's career following his elevation to the police's top leadership by the left-wing party ERC amid contentious disputes over police leadership within the region.

Sallent's appointment as chief was controversial, having been proposed amidst a legal challenge from unions and another commissioner which remains unresolved in the courts. His exit from the police and transition into the private consulting sector raises questions about the establishment's intertwining with political figures, particularly in the context of the ERC's influence over public institutions. This indictment of political patronage echoes broader concerns regarding the integrity and independence of police forces in Catalonia.

As a founding partner of the consultancy, Sallent's career shift not only signifies personal career advancement but also indicates potential future collaborations that may impact both the consultancy's operations and ERC's policies. With growing scrutiny on how political allegiances affect institutional integrity, this move will likely prompt dialogue about the need for clearer barriers between public service and private business, especially within politically sensitive sectors like law enforcement.