The head of the General Directorate of Security has highlighted the vision of building an integral public security model in the Canary Islands. This model is based on the powers granted to the Autonomous Community by the Statute of Autonomy to define security policies and organize its own police force with broad functions. The creation of a Canarian Public Security Council is planned, a consultative body that will include all police forces and the Judicial Administration, in addition to a system for exchanging information between bodies.
It has been clarified that local police forces will not be subordinated to the General Corps of the Canarian Police. The new legislation respects municipal autonomy and seeks supramunicipal coordination, unifying common and beneficial matters for both bodies. This implies the repeal of the current autonomous police law and the creation of a single regulatory text that brings both together, updating laws dating from 1997 for local police and 2008 for the Canarian Police.
Regarding the deployment of the autonomous force in the non-capital islands, a delay is acknowledged, but it is structured under an institutional cooperation model based on technical criteria and resource optimization. Currently, the Canarian Police has about 300 officers, and there are ongoing calls for more personnel. Buildings in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are being adapted for police stations, and one has recently been made available in La Gomera. The goal is for the deployment to be a reality this year with the incorporation of the 143 officers who are in the final phase of training and another 150 already called up.
The Canarian Police is prepared to assume new powers, as established by article 148 of the Statute, which covers a broad concept of security and protection. Following an agreement with the Government Delegation, a gradual assumption of powers in the transfer of minors with judicial measures has begun, which will be fully integrated as more personnel are incorporated. The aim is for the autonomous police's powers to be fully integral, not just complementary or collaborative, without this implying a clash with State police forces, but rather an aid to the security system of the Islands.
“"The Canarian Police is not here to replace anyone but to help the security system of the Islands. I always say an important phrase: we are all too few."
Regarding funding, it is considered a fair demand that the State finance the 1,400 officers requested by the Canarian decree. It is argued that other autonomous communities with their own police forces already receive state funding, and that after the 2018 reform of the Statute, the Canary Islands are on par in public security competencies with regions like Catalonia or the Basque Country.
