The Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, has claimed this Friday in Vitoria, during an event with the Basque police, that a society that "does not protect those who protect it" is "condemned to failure". Therefore, he has urged to "act forcefully" and to "put a stop to actions that foster indiscriminate hatred", as well as to reject discourses "that label every police officer as a violent person or an enemy of the people".
He made these remarks at the ceremony for the presentation of credentials to the agents of the 5th promotion of the Euskal Polizia, held at the Arkaute Academy, in Vitoria. The event was also attended by the Minister of Security, Bingen Zupiria; the president of Eudel, Esther Apraiz; and the director of the Basque Academy of Police and Emergencies, Jon Goikolea.
As the Lehendakari emphasized, this event represents "the crowning achievement of a long journey". In his speech, he evoked the words of Robert Peel, considered the 'Father of modern policing', who maintained that "the police are the public and the public are the police".
In this regard, he stressed that the police and citizens travel "on the same two-way street". "Both owe each other a mutual and shared responsibility. Basque society has delegated tasks and functions to you that involve danger, commitment, service, and control of conflict situations," he stated.
He recalled that the Ertzaintza and Local Police forces assume "unavoidable" duties and obligations within Basque society, which in turn has "unavoidable duties" towards the ertzainas and municipal officers. He reiterated to the new recruits that, once they leave Arkaute, their mission will be to serve Basque society and ensure the safety of people and property.
To carry out this work, he explained, Basque society has granted them an "important tool", the "legitimacy to use force", a power that entails "great responsibility and ethical demand", since it is "not enough" to obey orders, but "judgment, self-control, and a sense of justice" are essential. "In other words, always have the moral compass in hand. You are our first wall. In the most difficult situations, you are the agents who will step forward," he emphasized.
Unwavering defense of the Basque police
Pradales has insisted that he has "very clear" that a community that does not support those who protect it is "doomed to failure." In his opinion, this realization requires "acting forcefully" and has led him to demand that "the dehumanization" of the Ertzaintza and local police not be allowed, that their work be facilitated, that "a stand be taken against actions that foster indiscriminate hatred," and that messages "that label every police officer as a violent person or an enemy of the people" be rejected.
The Lehendakari has stressed that it is the "moral responsibility" of Basque society to "never" turn its back on its police and has assured that it does not, because it considers their role to be "essential for secure coexistence."
"That is why you are one of the institutions that enjoys the greatest trust and best assessment in Euskadi. The Basque people have always been very clear that they wanted to entrust the guarantee of their security to their own police force. An integral, Basque, exemplary police force that watches over our integrity and protection. This is a mission that you must always keep very much in mind. It is the task that has been entrusted to you and for which you will be held accountable," he stated.
Addressing the new class, he reminded them that this is their "social responsibility" and assured them that their commitment is "firm" and their professionalism "will be exemplary." "And we also know that the respect you feel for this institution is enormous. This Government and this Lehendakari will always be on your side," he emphasized.
Advances in the Ertzaintza and new challenges
In his review of the legislative term, he highlighted that "important advances" have been made in the Ertzaintza, including the agreement to provide the Police with "more resources and better conditions," their presence in port areas, the creation of the Basque Security Forum, and the goal of reaching 8,000 officers by 2030.
He admitted, however, that there is still much "work and task" to continue modernizing the Ertzaintza and adapting it to the challenges posed by public safety "in today's turbulent world." "But we will continue to measure up," he assured.
Pradales has reiterated that they have "an important function" in hand, that of "strengthening coexistence and togetherness in Basque society and ensuring citizen safety". He defended that security is synonymous with well-being and constitutes the pillar of coexistence, and added that it is up to the new officers, along with those already active, to provide a quality security service.
During the ceremony, a new Ertzaintza officer also spoke, representing all members of the 5th promotion of the Euskal Polizia, to emphasize the enthusiasm with which they face this new stage "after the effort and spirit of overcoming" made. The ceremony concluded with the traditional throwing of the txapelas by all the officers trained at the Arkaute academy.