The events in honour of the Local Police’s patron saint, San Miguel, whose feast day is celebrated on the 29th of September, took place on Thursday 30th of October in Mijas. They began with a thanksgiving Mass, attendees included members of the force and their families, as well as the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), the councillor responsible for the area, Juan Carlos Cuevas Dawson (Vox), members of the municipal corporation, the chief inspector of the Local Police, Juan Manuel Rosas; senior officers, including the captain of the Civil Guard in Mijas, Miguel Ángel Fernández, the commander of the Civil Guard in Marbella, Francisco Javier Gómez, the chief commissioner of the National Police in Fuengirola, Juan Cabas, as well as representatives from the Mijas Fire Brigade, Civil Protection and the local police forces of neighbouring municipalities, in addition to representatives of associations and social groups.

Mata highlighted the “closeness and approachability” of the Mijas Local Police, as well as the “enormous trust” they inspire among citizens. “They are always there, in good times and, of course, in difficult moments”. She also praised the training, vocation, professionalism, specialisation, psychology and improvement of technical resources as the defining features of the Mijas Local Police, expressing her deep gratitude for their public service.

 

The event cotinued continued with a ceremony at the Manuel España Theatre in Las Lagunas. 

Cuevas Dawson offcially opened the event, thanking the officers for their dedication and highlighting the commitment of the Department of Security and the government team to strengthening the force. He noted that “there was much to do. Accumulated shortcomings urgently needed to be corrected, and we have done so through the largest investment in recent years, a 200% increase, because we believe in this Police”.

 

The chief inspector of the Local Police then reviewed the past year, highlighting the constant efforts of the officers to improve safety, coexistence and service to the residents of Mijas. He thanked all the honourees for their years of service, describing them as “some of the best professionals” he has had the privilege to know.

The awards

The first medal presented by the authorities was the blue distinction, awarded to for 30 years of service as a Mijas local police officer. “I’m truly proud to have served the citizens of Mijas for 30 year”, López said,  adding that they are “here to resolve situations and make life in Mijas better”.  

In total, 29 crosses of merit with white distinction were awarded. Among them, notable presentations included Miguel Jesús Bello, who received his from his father, a retired National Police officer, and Nacho Mérida, who was presented with his by his brother, a sergeant in the Civil Guard, stood out. “It’s already emotional to receive the medal for 20 years of service, because, after all, you have to complete 20 years to get it, and sometimes that can be challenging, but receiving it from my brother has been a great pride”, Mérida acknowledged. 

 

During the ceremony ten local officers were congratulated for their careers and outstanding actions. Additionally A group of police officers were also presented with awards and diplomas for various commendable actions. There was also a special mention for a local resident, Mari Ángeles Romero, for her collaboration with the police, which led to the discovery of a scam targeting an elderly woman.

Strengthening the workforce

The mayoress closed the ceremony,  during which one blue-distinction medal, 29 white-distinction medals, and more than ten commendations were awarded to officers. “We know we are in good hands, we know we are safe with the Local Police of our municipality”, said Mata, noting that “the Mijas Town Hall has announced 13 posts to reinforce the Local Police.  The objective is to ensure a closer and more effective service: ten positions for new recruits for senior officers through internal promotion”. She added that efforts will continue “to request proper Civil Guard facilities for our municipality”.

Political representation

The municipal corporation highlighted the importance of the Local Police as a pillar of security for the residents of Mijas. For Mario Bravo, spokesperson for the PP in the Town Hall, it was a “day to thank  those dedicated to protecting us in  traffic, security and public safety. I think today is the perfect day to say thank you to each of those more than 140 police officers”.

The deputy spokesperson for Vox, Francisco Jerez, added that “the officers collaborate with the Mijas Fire Brigade, Civil Protection and Operational Services. From Vox, we want to emphasise that this cooperation between municipal services ensures citizen protection”.

“A very important day”, added Juan Carlos Maldonado, spokesperson for Por Mi Pueblo Mijas, “to recognise and thank the Local Police for upholding regulations and safety, together with the Civil Guard, making Mijas a safe municipality”.

More than 40 officers were awarded distinctions and commendations for their work, not only in safety but also in other areas where the Local Police play a key role.

“I completely support the distinctions that have been awarded”, said Josele González, spokesperson for the PSOE in the council. “I also want to note that today marks the one-year anniversary of the DANA disaster in Valencia, and I very much missed that the work of those Mijas officers who were there wasn’t recognised”, he added.

The spokesperson for Cs Mijas, José Carlos Martín, also wished to “congratulate all those who received decorations”, as well as “the entire Local Police force for the outstanding work they do, as well as the  administrative and civilian staff who work with them”.

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