Spain's main police unions have sharply criticized Judge Juan Carlos Peinado. His suggestion that officers protecting Begoña Gómez could aid her escape has triggered a rare united response. The unions call the claims baseless and damaging.
Spain's leading police unions have issued a rare joint rebuke against Judge Juan Carlos Peinado after he suggested that officers assigned to protect Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, might facilitate her escape from justice. The judge's remarks, included in a recent court order restricting Gómez's travel, have sparked immediate backlash from the country's largest police organizations.
Justice Policial (Jupol), the most prominent and government-critical police union, was first to respond, describing the judge's comments as an unacceptable attack on the professionalism of the officers involved. Without naming Peinado directly, Jupol emphasized that the presidential security detail operates strictly within the law and under judicial orders, and warned that casting doubt on their conduct undermines public trust in exemplary public servants.
The Sindicato Unificado de Policía (SUP) echoed these concerns, calling it especially troubling that a judge would speculate about the possibility of National Police officers acting against the interests of justice. SUP highlighted the rigorous training and legal obligations of police escorts, stressing that officers are not required to follow illegal orders and always act within the boundaries of Spanish law.
The Unión Federal de Policía (UFP) went further, labeling the judge's reasoning as an unfounded accusation against officers whose primary role is to prevent crime. UFP argued that such statements unfairly tarnish the reputation of the entire police force and insisted that the judge's suggestion lacks any factual basis. The union also reminded that a judge's role is to assess facts, not to cast suspicion on individuals or groups without evidence.
Judge Peinado's decision to restrict Gómez's movements was partly justified by the claim that her constant police protection could, in theory, be used to assist her in leaving the country. The judge argued that these officers, either on their own initiative or following orders from superiors, might facilitate such an action. This reasoning directly contradicted the defense's argument, which maintained that the presence of security personnel made any escape attempt impossible.
The unions have demanded a public retraction from the judge, arguing that his statements are not only unfounded but also cast an unjust shadow over the integrity of police officers assigned to protect high-level officials. They warn that such allegations risk eroding confidence in law enforcement at a time when institutional trust is crucial.
Spain's police protection units are governed by strict protocols and legal frameworks, with officers subject to regular oversight and disciplinary measures. The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions and public scrutiny of judicial decisions involving figures close to the government. According to official data, police escorts for senior officials are selected through a competitive process and undergo specialized training in both security and legal compliance. The current dispute highlights the sensitivity surrounding the intersection of law enforcement, politics, and the judiciary in Spain.
