Education Director Defends Voluntary Scheme
Montserrat Capdevila, director of Territorial Education Services for the Vallès Occidental, has defended the ongoing presence of plainclothes Mossos d'Esquadra officers in schools, stating they help "prevent more serious incidents". The Institut Escola Joan Sallarès i Pla in Sabadell is the only educational centre in the area currently participating in the pilot scheme. Speaking on Ràdio Sabadell’s Notícies Matí programme, Capdevila described the initiative as fully voluntary and driven by schools themselves. She stressed that the officers do not enter classrooms, carry weapons or act in a disciplinary role, but instead support staff in identifying and addressing social issues such as gender-based violence, discrimination and bullying.
"What we’ve already seen has led to early detection of certain circumstances and actions that have prevented more serious problems. This is the objective,"
Capdevila added that the collaboration builds on existing relationships between schools and the regional police for preventive work, and that any centre can withdraw from the programme at any time.
Protests Continue Amid Criticism
The initiative has faced opposition from teaching unions and education collectives. In May 2026, around 50 teachers protested outside the Sallarès i Pla school, demanding more educational professionals instead of police presence. Slogans included "Less police, more education" and "Out of our classrooms", with CGT union delegate Nani Romero calling the move "delusional" given existing staffing shortages. The Assemblea Educativa de Sabadell, which organised a protest in September 2026, argues that the solution to school conflict lies in increased psychological and social support, not law enforcement. They maintain that schools under pressure may feel compelled to accept the programme despite reservations.
Programme Remains Active Despite Confusion
In June 2026, Interior Minister Núria Parlon stated the pilot was "on the verge of being suspended", but the Department of Interior later retracted those comments. According to Diari de Sabadell, the programme remains active, with four of the original 13 participating schools having withdrawn. Sabadell’s Sallarès i Pla has not withdrawn. The Generalitat initially justified the pilot as a means to improve coexistence in schools, with officers coordinating with teaching staff to mediate conflicts. Further details about selection criteria or evaluation metrics have not been made public. Parents and staff at the school have largely declined to comment publicly. The school’s management has not issued an official statement on its participation.
Primary sources: dsp.interior.gencat.cat, mossos.gencat.cat. Reported by radiosabadell.fm, isabadell.cat, diarideterrassa.com, diaridesabadell.com, Edu GIl, Ràdio Sabadell, agora.xtec.cat, eb.sabadell.cat, elpais.com, en.ara.cat.
