Toledo.- The delegate of the Government of Spain in Castilla-La Mancha, Milagros Tolón, presided today in Toledo the institutional act of the 201th anniversary of the creation of the National Police, in which she congratulated the agents of Castilla-La Mancha and its superior chief, Javier Pérez Castillo, “because the objectives marked in the origin of this commemoration have been fulfilled”, in January last year, “when you gathered in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to commemorate the bicentenary. It was accompanied by an extensive program of events that has allowed police activity to be brought even closer to the citizens.”
Milagros Tolón has recognized that for her “it has been an honor to participate in many of the organized activities, since it has allowed me to know more in depth the intense work that the men and women of the National Police carry out in your exemplary mission to protect our rights and freedoms. Sharing this act of the 201 years of the National Police and reviewing what was 2024 is a great satisfaction from the conviction that recognition of the work of the National Police and of all the State Security Forces and Corps is never enough.”
The National Police, “a basic livelihood”
A year that, he recalled, “was marked by the DANA that struck Valencia at the end of October and whose tragic consequences we also suffered in our autonomous community with the death of seven of our neighbors in Letur and Mira. Once again, we found that in an extreme emergency scenario, the public services of intervention and assistance to the victims were, are and will be in the front line to mitigate the devastating effects of torrential rains and floods.”
In this common front of aid and recovery, “the National Police of Castilla-La Mancha has been a basic sustenance, attending to the incidents of its competence and putting itself at the service of other territories when the occasion required it. Many thanks to the men and women of the National Police who have participated in these operations,” he said.
The Government delegate also wanted to expressly congratulate those responsible for the operation recently deployed on the occasion of the Ciudad Real rave, “as evidenced by the conclusion of the event without incident. A deployment, fruit of the collaboration between the Security Forces, adequate, adjusted and proportionate to respond to the great challenge that the agents have had to face. Thank you and congratulations.”
Work, dedication and closeness
Both the commemoration of the bicentenary and the interventions by the DANA or the rave of Ciudad Real “constitute only three examples of what the role of the National Police means for Spanish society. In addition to being the guarantor of our rights and freedoms, your work underpins the unity, strength and structure of the State. Not only are you a basic pillar of our rule of law, your work, dedication and closeness contribute to strengthening the identity of our region and our country.”
Milagros Tolón pointed out that “the Government of Spain is aware of the role played by the National Police and therefore has been increasing the means and resources in our region, which is reflected in a 20% increase in the workforce in the last 7 years. Figures that are going to increase with the next public job offer, which includes 2,707 places for the National Police.”
Below average crime rate
In the purely criminal sphere, “Castilla-La Mancha is a safe region, with a crime rate that is more than 10 points below the national average. But the Spanish Government will continue to work to reduce these figures and increase security.”
The Government delegate ended her speech by reminding the agents that they have given their lives to defend our security. “The tribute to all of them, especially those who were victims of terrorism, must be permanent and, as a delegate of the Government in Castilla-La Mancha, I express it in this act. Their memory is still alive and our hearts are with their families, friends and colleagues.”
Pérez Castillo: “Our unwavering commitment”
For his part, the superior head of the National Police in Castilla-La Mancha, Javier Pérez Castillo, has shown his deep sense of “gratitude and pride on the occasion of the 201th anniversary of the creation of the General Police of the Kingdom, antecedent of what today is the National Police”. Remembering that during 2024 “we had the opportunity to commemorate at national and regional level the 200th anniversary in a successful and extraordinary way with the celebration of many events of all kinds. This reminded us of our unwavering commitment to security, justice and the protection of the rights of all Spaniards.”
Javier Pérez Castillo highlighted “the closeness to citizenship, empathy and respect of the National Police with society, which makes it fairer and more equitable. Principles that have allowed us to strengthen trust between the police and the community have given us moral legitimacy, a link that is essential to the success of our mission.”
The Superior Chief of the National Police in Castilla-La Mancha recalled that they have faced “multiple challenges over these 201 years, but we have always been successful thanks to dedication, the spirit of service and commitment to society.” And that “the key to facing the future lies in innovation and collaboration, collaboration not only between the different State Security Forces and Bodies, but also with the institutions and citizens”.
He ended his speech by saying that the National Police “is here to serve, to protect and to be a beacon of hope for all for 200 more years. Or better yet, no expiration date.”