Núria Parlon, Catalonia’s minister for interior and public security, is due to appear before the Parliament of Catalonia’s Interior Committee on Thursday 17 September to answer questions about recent changes in the leadership of the Mossos d'Esquadra, the regional police force. The session will give opposition parties a public opportunity to question the government over Josep Lluís Trapero’s departure as director general of the police and the appointment of Ferran López.

For residents, the hearing concerns the political and operational leadership of the police force responsible for policing across Catalonia. El Nacional.cat reported that Junts and Esquerra Republicana had requested Parlon’s appearance, which is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Ferran López and Sílvia Catà take senior roles

The Generalitat has named Ferran López as director general of the police and Sílvia Catà as chief commissioner of the Mossos d'Esquadra, according to the official Generalitat announcement.

  • Ferran López succeeds Josep Lluís Trapero as director general of the police, the Generalitat post overseeing the administration and management of the regional police service.
  • Sílvia Catà becomes chief commissioner, the Mossos d'Esquadra’s most senior operational police commander.
  • Josep Lluís Trapero has left the director general post and is returning to the police force, according to El Nacional.cat.

The changes took effect on Tuesday following publication in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya, known as the DOGC, Catalonia’s official gazette in which government appointments and legal measures are formally published, El Nacional.cat reported.

Thursday’s committee session

Parlon is expected to address the leadership transition before Interior Committee members on Thursday 17 September. Following her intervention, representatives of the parliamentary groups will be able to question her and debate the matter.

The appointment of López and Catà formalises a new senior leadership structure for the Mossos d'Esquadra after Trapero’s departure.

Primary sources: Govern de la Generalitat de Catalunya. Reported by El Nacional.cat.