A scandal within the leadership of Spain’s National Police has once again captured public attention after a police commissioner in Madrid filed an official complaint against the force’s former deputy director. This development could reshape public perception of law enforcement and raise new questions about the transparency of personnel decisions.
According to El Confidencial, the commissioner reported to the command of the Civil Guard in Tres Cantos, accusing former police deputy director José Ángel González of abuse of power, pressure, and breaches of moral standards. The complaint states that in October 2024, the officer was removed from his position and forced to leave his post, without the opportunity to decline a new appointment.
Causes of the conflict
The situation escalated after the recent dismissal of González himself, who lost his position following a sexual harassment complaint filed against him by a colleague. As El Confidencial reports, it was in the wake of this incident that the commissioner decided to turn to law enforcement with accusations against González.
The complaint alleges that the former director exerted pressure in an attempt to force the commissioner to accept a new post. According to sources, the transfer was decided without the officer’s consent, triggering internal conflict and prompting the complaint to the Civil Guard.
Consequences for the police
The complaint was filed a week after González was dismissed from his position as deputy police director. Currently, deputy for personnel Gemma Barroso is serving as the interim head, and the process to select a new permanent chief has already begun.
This incident dealt another blow to the reputation of the National Police, which in recent months has faced criticism over personnel reshuffles and internal investigations. Public mistrust of the transparency of law enforcement agencies is growing, and such incidents only heighten tensions.
Context and response
According to El Confidencial, last December González had already made the decision to dismiss another commissioner accused of sexual harassment in an effort to preserve the department’s image. However, the new allegations and internal conflicts show that systemic problems remain unresolved.
The investigation into the commissioner’s complaint is expected to continue in the near future, and the outcome may impact future appointments in police leadership. Questions remain about how effectively the system monitors and protects employees’ rights.
In recent years, Spain has seen a rise in cases where senior police officers and other state officials have become subjects of investigations over accusations of abuse of power and pressure on subordinates. In 2025, a similar case occurred in Barcelona, where an officer was temporarily suspended following a complaint about coercion related to a transfer. Comparable incidents have been reported in other regions of the country, indicating a systemic issue in personnel management and the need for reform. Public interest in such cases remains high, and demands for transparency and accountability among leaders continue to grow.
