A medal is awarded to a policeman for solving a crime committed by a police officer who cannot be stripped of a medal.

BarcelonaThe Mossos d'Esquadra (Spanish Police) celebrate their debut this Friday afternoon with the commemoration of National Squad Day. The officers take off their uniforms and put on their full dress uniforms, during a festive day in which members of the force, as well as other police organizations and institutions, receive decorations for their work. Among the distinctions, one that stands out is the one that a forensic police officer will receive for his investigation. of a double sexist crime perpetrated by a retired commissioner of the National Police, who committed suicide with the same pistol after the two murders, one in Rubí and the other in Castellbisbal, in July of last year.

"The recovery of the ballistics elements and the murder weapon allowed for a swift resolution of the case," the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police). In this case, there is a rare coincidence: the alleged murderer, former commissioner Juan Fortuny de Pedro, was a police officer and had also received decorations from many different institutions, including the Ministry of the Interior itself and the Spanish government Delegation in Catalonia.

Both institutions cannot revoke the distinctions awarded to him, although they are seeking legal avenues to do so. According to sources consulted by ARA, the Ministry of the Interior has launched a reform of the law—which is what prevents the distinction from being withdrawn—which is already in the hands of the Legal Advisory Commission. It is expected that the award will be approved in three months, and the former commissioner's decoration can be withdrawn. The current law provides for the withdrawal of distinctions from Generalitat officials in certain cases, but not from individuals outside the Generalitat. Meanwhile, sources from the Spanish Government Delegation indicate that they can only withdraw decorations if there is a final judgment. In the case of the former commissioner, he will not face trial because he committed suicide. Therefore, they are seeking alternative ways to enforce the suspension.

General Staff

The event for the Day of the Squadrons, held at the Barcelona International Convention Center (CCIB), was led by the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, and the Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon. He stated that the Government is "ready" to assume new responsibilities. The President assured that they will not leave "a single neighborhood unattended" and that in Catalonia "there is no impunity": "Whoever does wrong pays," he warned. 25,000 officers, a milestone to be achieved that Isla also mentioned. The Chief Commissioner of the force, Miquel Esquius, focused on the crime aspect, highlighting that crimes have dropped by 5% in the first quarter of 2025. "complex and multicultural," he stated, adding that the latter "is more of a value than a problem." He also criticized the fact that people now seem to want "quick solutions to complex problems."

Among the Mossos d'Esquadra who will receive distinctions, also stand out an officer and a corporal who saved the life of a 13-year-old girl who had accidentally fallen into the Cardener River in November 2024. "The girl was on the verge of being swept away by the strong current, which would have very likely resulted in her own life. In order to save a life, they made it possible for the minor, once treated by the medical services at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Manresa, to be discharged, as she recovered from the hypothermia she suffered upon leaving the water," the police assure. The girl had jumped into the river to save her brother, who had fallen earlier.

On the Day of the Squads, officers who have suffered injuries in the line of duty are also recognized, as well as those who have led complex investigations, such as the case of the forensic police officer. One of the most complicated investigations in recent memory for the Catalan police was the one that resolved The double shooting at the entrance to a hotel in Salou in May 2023.

The Mossos' efforts resulted in 13 arrests, but the most extraordinary of the investigation was that he crossed the Catalan borders and traveled to MarseilleThe shooting had been an act of revenge between two Marseille drug clans, the Dz and the Yoda. The Catalan police managed to decapitate part of both groups, and the homicide rate in Marseille dropped following the arrests.

During the event, a heartfelt tribute was also paid to Commissioner Xavi Gámez, who suffers from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). President Isla stated in a subsequent speech that Gámez is an "example of overcoming difficulties."