Trapero exits amid departmental rift
Josep Lluís Trapero has resigned as director general of the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan regional police, after two years in office. His departure, described as "irrevocable" in an official statement, marks the end of a turbulent tenure defined by clashes with Interior Minister Núria Parlon and political allies within the government coalition. Trapero’s resignation follows that of Tomás Carrión, the secretary general of the Interior Department, who stepped down last week citing personal reasons. The dual departures force a major restructuring at the top of Catalonia’s security apparatus.
Parlon confirms leadership overhaul
In a press conference, Parlon acknowledged the breakdown in working relations but stated she had hoped Trapero would remain. "A stage has come to an end," she said, referencing the need for renewed coordination within the department. Ferran López, who previously led the Mossos during the period of direct rule under Article 155 in 2017–2018, will replace Trapero. Sílvia Catà, formerly head of the Mossos in Girona, becomes the first female chief commissioner of the force, replacing retiring Miquel Esquius.
Political friction and controversies
Trapero’s return to leadership was a signature pledge by President Salvador Illa during the 2024 campaign, symbolising a move toward professionalising police management. However, tensions emerged quickly. Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), a key coalition partner, had long demanded Trapero’s removal. Party leader Oriol Junqueras publicly criticised Trapero over the alleged infiltration of plainclothes officers into a teachers’ assembly in May and disputed accounts of police conduct during King Felipe VI’s visit to Montserrat in February. Trapero’s past statements during the 2017 independence crisis also rankled political leaders. His disclosure of a contingency plan to arrest Catalan government figures if ordered by judicial authorities drew ire, particularly from Junqueras, who also resented being denied a security escort upon his release from prison in 2021.
"A stage has come to an end," said Interior Minister Núria Parlon, acknowledging the breakdown in leadership cohesion.
Legacy of a polarising figure
Trapero first led the Mossos during the 2017 independence referendum, a role that led to his prosecution for sedition, charges later dropped due to his "political neutrality" and the assessment that the Catalan police maintained a restrained stance compared to national forces. Despite lacking pro-independence sympathies, former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont described Trapero as a "democrat" sufficient for the role. Trapero was reinstated in 2018 by Junts minister Miquel Sàmper after being dismissed under Article 155. After his initial removal, Trapero served in private security at FC Barcelona before returning to public service in a liaison role with national police bodies.
Security reforms continue
Despite the upheaval, the Catalan government confirmed ongoing security initiatives. At a recent Joint Security Committee meeting chaired by Illa and Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, officials agreed to explore expanding the Mossos to 25,000 officers by 2030. The force will also assume responsibility for environmental crime investigations and join the national anti-money laundering agency SEPBLAC by 2025. National Police and Civil Guard units will integrate into Catalonia’s CAT-112 emergency coordination system. Trapero will return to a non-operational role leading the Division of Service Assessment (DAS), a bureaucratic post with no command authority.
Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by en.ara.cat, elmundo.es, e-noticies.cat, ara.cat, elperiodico.com, David Expósito J, elnacional.cat, europapress.es, publico.es, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, eldiario.es, elplural.com, infoLibre, Diari ARA.
