Josep Lluís Trapero has resigned as director general of the Catalan police. His departure follows two years of internal disputes and leadership uncertainty. The Interior Department is set to explain the changes in a public briefing.
Josep Lluís Trapero has resigned as director general of the Mossos d'Esquadra, following a period of growing discord within Catalonia’s Interior Department. After two years in the role, Trapero’s exit marks a significant break at the top of the regional police. Sources close to the department confirmed his decision just as officials prepare to address the leadership changes in a public briefing.
The move comes after months of tension over planned changes to the police command and ongoing uncertainty about the force’s direction. The Interior Department has scheduled a press conference for 10:30 to explain the reasons behind the reshuffle. According to Catalan News and ARA, Trapero’s resignation is the result of accumulated disagreements within the department, rather than a single incident. The leadership change is part of a broader restructuring of the Mossos d'Esquadra.
The department has already replaced its second most senior official, Tomàs Carrión, with Joana Ricardo, with officials stating Carrión left of his own accord.
Trapero’s time as chief was shaped by the aftermath of the procés and the events of the 1 October referendum, when the Mossos d'Esquadra were at the center of a major political crisis in Spain. As the top officer during that period, Trapero was called before the Audiencia Nacional, putting the force under intense scrutiny and raising questions about its role and neutrality. ARA notes that Trapero remains closely linked to the events of 2017, which continue to influence how the Mossos and their leadership are seen.
Since then, the Mossos have worked to reestablish themselves as a judicial police force, distancing from political disputes and emphasizing their accountability to the courts. Restoring credibility and neutrality became a priority after 2017, as the force’s legitimacy was repeatedly questioned both inside and outside Catalonia. According to ARA, the department has tried to highlight its judicial role and move away from ongoing political conflict.
Internal divisions have deepened as the department debated further changes at the top. The leadership crisis echoes other recent political shakeups in Spain, such as the withdrawal of Sara Oviedo from the PSOE mayoral race in Leganés, where internal rifts left only one candidate. In both cases, unresolved disputes have led to abrupt departures and left institutions trying to regain stability. Catalan News reports that the planned restructuring of the command has become a particular point of tension, with ongoing debate about the direction of the police force.
Recent controversies have added to the department's internal strain, including covert Mossos operations in schools, police presence at teachers' assemblies, and the use of pepper spray at pro-Palestinian protests. These incidents have intensified the perception of prolonged internal tension within the Interior Department.
Trapero’s resignation is more than a change in personnel for Catalonia. It highlights the fragility of the region’s security leadership at a time when public trust in institutions is unsettled. The Mossos d'Esquadra, still dealing with the fallout from years of political conflict, now face new uncertainty about their future leadership. The Interior Department’s next steps will be closely watched, as both operational effectiveness and public confidence are at stake. According to ARA and Catalan News, further changes in the Mossos’ leadership or redistribution of powers are possible, and the ministry’s public statements may clarify whether Trapero left voluntarily or was effectively pushed out.
