Canary Islands Government Seeks Reform in Police Leadership Appointment Process

The Government of the Canary Islands has introduced a significant proposal in its 2026 budget aimed at reforming the regulations that govern the appointment of the head of the Canary Police. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the operational flexibility of the police force amidst ongoing challenges in leadership and governance.

Details of the Proposed Reforms

This reform initiative, spearheaded by the coalition of the Canary Coalition (CC) and the People’s Party (PP), seeks to grant the Minister of Security, Nieves Lady Barreto, the authority to appoint a new head of the police force without being bound by the traditional hierarchical structure. The proposed changes would enable the Minister to select a replacement from among senior ranks, including principal commissioners, commissioners, and deputy commissioners, bypassing the conventional ranking system that has been in place.

Currently, Article 23 of the Canary Police Law mandates that the head of the police force must be appointed from among principal commissioners through a public announcement. This process is designed to uphold principles of objectivity, merit, and capability. In cases of vacancy, absence, or illness, the law stipulates that the replacement must come from the principal commissioners or, if none are available, from the ranks immediately below. The proposed reform aims to streamline this process, potentially allowing for more rapid responses to leadership vacancies.

Context of Recent Leadership Turmoil

The backdrop to this proposal is a period of instability within the Canary Police. In October 2023, Luis Santos Jara, the only principal commissioner, was dismissed from his position following a confidential inquiry initiated by Minister Nieves Lady Barreto. This inquiry investigated allegations that Santos Jara had made critical remarks regarding the government’s management of a forest fire in Tenerife during the summer of 2023. Although the disciplinary case against him was ultimately dismissed, the incident raised questions about the relationship between police leadership and government oversight.

In the wake of Santos Jara’s removal, Deputy Commissioner Antonio Almenara was appointed as the interim head of the police force. This appointment was made possible through a promotion to commissioner under Article 39, which allows for temporary assignments to higher positions. However, this promotion occurred without a public application process or a merit-based assessment, despite legal advisories indicating that such procedures were necessary. This lack of transparency has further fueled concerns about the integrity of the appointment process.

Reactions and Controversies Surrounding the Reforms

The proposed budget reform, which includes amendments to Article 39 of the Canary Police Law, has ignited considerable controversy. Critics argue that the changes would permit the appointment of officials who may lack the requisite qualifications for higher roles and allow for the head of the police to be appointed without regard for the established hierarchy. This has raised alarms among various stakeholders regarding the potential erosion of professionalism and integrity within the police force.

Three unions—Intersindical Canaria, CSIF, and Sepca—have formally requested the annulment of the proposed changes, asserting that they were not adequately negotiated during discussions at the Public Employees’ Table on October 21. The unions contend that the reforms threaten the principles of fair appointment practices and could exacerbate existing instability within the police force. Their concerns reflect a broader unease about the implications of these reforms for police governance and operational integrity.

As the Canary Islands government moves forward with these legislative changes, the implications for police governance and the operational integrity of law enforcement remain a focal point of debate among law enforcement officials, union representatives, and the public. The outcome of this proposal could have lasting effects on the structure and function of the police force in the Canary Islands, shaping the future of law enforcement in the region.

Key points

• The Canary Islands government has proposed a budget reform to amend police leadership appointment regulations.
• The reform allows the Minister of Security to appoint the head of the police without adhering to the existing hierarchy.
• Current police leadership has faced scrutiny following the dismissal of principal commissioner Luis Santos Jara.
• Deputy Commissioner Antonio Almenara was appointed as interim head without a public application process.
• Three unions have called for the annulment of the proposed budget changes, citing lack of negotiation.