The delegate of the Government of Spain in Andalusia, Pedro Fernández, presided today, together with the Brigadier-General Chief of the Fourth Zone of the Civil Guard, Alfonso Rodríguez Castillo, the events of celebration of the 179 anniversary of the Civil Guard, body that the delegate described as “a key piece to build a more just and egalitarian society thanks to his way of living at the service of Spain and its citizens”.
It is precisely this public vocation, in the words of Pedro Fernández, that has allowed the Civil Guard to “accumulate throughout its history an endless list of successes”. “This organization has defeated ETA terrorism, saves lives in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, fights drug traffickers, protects the environment, farmers and cares about animal welfare,” while “it continues to increase the number of troops assigned to male violence,” he said.
He stressed that “the number of personnel for the protection of victims of gender violence has doubled”, where 62 territorial teams from Viogén work, in addition to the Women and Minors Teams of the Civil Guard, Emume, created 26 years ago, “who develop this committed and dedicated work to face this scourge that shames us.”
Pedro Fernández has highlighted precisely the female collective because “this 179 anniversary coincides with the 35 years since his incorporation into the Civil Guard, a remarkable milestone reflecting the commitment of courageous women who chose the Civil Guard as an expression of their vocation of service to Spain and who have opened the way to many companions”. Today, he continued, “they exceed 26% of the students in formation in the body, which means that soon we will see an increase in their presence in the body.”
Currently there are 15,501 civil guards in Andalusia, “the most numerous staff in the entire historical series since 2015”, the delegate highlighted, remembering that “there are 1,030 more agents in Andalusia, a staff that will continue to grow, with a great presence of women”.
To all of them, Pedro Fernández has asked them to “continue making history”, as reflected in the latest Crime Report published by the Ministry of the Interior, “which states that the Civil Guard has clarified 63,846 infractions in 2022, 13.2% more than the previous year”. “I am convinced that next year, when we meet again for the 180th anniversary, you will continue to proudly show a history full of public service to the citizenry, which has this institution among the most valued in the country.”
After recalling all the men and women of the Corps who have died in the act of service, the delegate congratulated those who have been decorated with the Order of Merit of the Civil Guard and, finally, addressed the families “because from affection, love and understanding, you help the men and women of the Civil Guard to maintain the forces, the spirit of improvement and the vocation of public service to serve Spain in an impeccable way”.