Stability and Expanded Role for Mossos

Ferran López, the new director general of the Mossos d'Esquadra, has stated he does not plan any significant changes to the leadership of Catalonia's regional police force. In an interview with El Periódico published on 27 September 2026, López said he was not taking the role to "make a revolution" and would only implement changes that are "strictly necessary", based on professional criteria. López, who replaced Josep Lluís Trapero in recent days, confirmed that Toni Rodríguez, the prefecture’s chief inspector, will remain in his position. "There is no intention to move people around based on friendships or personal relationships," he added.

Push for Greater Operational Powers

López outlined ambitions for the Mossos to take on expanded responsibilities in areas such as airports, ports, and beaches, jurisdictional spaces currently managed by Spain’s national police and Guardia Civil. He described these as "inherent competences that are not supracommunity", arguing that certain powers remain untransferred due to inertia and legal barriers. "I like to say we are the state police in Catalonia, within the competences that belong to us, no more, no less," López said, reiterating a vision shared across multiple outlets including VilaWeb and NacióDigital. He explained that the Mossos are seeking representation in national decision-making bodies such as the Fiscalía de Sala and the Bank of Spain, to ensure timely information sharing and coordinated action with other law enforcement agencies in Catalonia.

We want a seat at the table so we can act in Catalonia, working alongside the national police and Guardia Civil, each within our own competences.

López also affirmed his commitment to continuing efforts to "feminise" the force, improving opportunities for women to advance in a body where promotion was historically difficult for female officers.

Reflections on the 155 Period

Appointed during the period of direct rule under Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, López expressed regret that he never had the chance to explain his actions to former Catalan president Quim Torra. "I would have liked to tell him how things were done after 155," he said. While acknowledging the extreme difficulty of that time, López stressed he was not alone in shouldering the burden: "Many of us carried it. It wasn’t just me who threw myself into the breach." He admitted uncertainty about what would have happened if he had declined the post, though he said he had heard the role might otherwise have gone to the Guardia Civil.

Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by vilaweb.cat, naciodigital.cat, infobae.com, Guillem RS, qoshe.com, VilaWeb.