Leadership change at the top of the Mossos d'Esquadra

Josep Lluís Trapero has resigned as director general of the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force, on Wednesday 9 September 2026. His resignation was announced during a morning meeting with senior officers at the Generalitat, where Interior Minister Núria Parlon confirmed the leadership changes taking effect immediately. Trapero, who had held the post since August 2024, will be succeeded by Ferran López, a veteran comissari who previously served as head of the Mossos during the 2017–2018 period when the Spanish government applied Article 155 and took direct control of Catalan institutions.

The president Illa announced during his campaign that he would reinstate Trapero, and he did. Now, after two years, a new chapter begins.

Parlon stated that the transition is part of a broader reorganisation following the retirement of current comissari en cap Miquel Esquius, who leaves after four decades of service. Esquius, first appointed comissari en cap in 2018, had returned to the role in August 2024 after Eduard Sallent’s removal.

Silvia Catà becomes first female comissària en cap

In a historic move, Silvia Catà has been named the new comissària en cap, making her the first woman to lead the Mossos d'Esquadra since its establishment. Catà, currently head of the Girona Regional Police, has nearly three decades of experience in the force and previously led security operations in the Barcelona metropolitan area. Her appointment fulfils the Interior Department’s goal of ensuring stability after a turbulent period marked by seven leadership changes since October 2017. Parlon described the upcoming transition as one of "naturality and tranquillity", aiming to end years of political and institutional upheaval within the police command. Catà began her career in Blanes and rose through territorial command roles, including as regional coordinator of citizen security in Barcelona. She has been head of the Girona region since 1 July 2023.

Ferran López returns to top role

Ferran López, born in Madrid in 1966, joined the Mossos in 1989 and has held multiple high-ranking positions, including head of the Hospitalet de Llobregat comissariat and operational coordinator of the police. He served as comissari en cap between 2017 and 2018 during the Article 155 intervention. After leaving that post, López led the Mossos’ delegation in Madrid from 2023 and was a member of the Prefectura. His return marks a second time replacing Trapero, who was removed in 2017 and again now in 2026.

The consellera has emphasised that the aim is to bring stability to a body that has seen too many changes in recent years.

The reshuffle was formalised in a resolution published by the Generalitat, accessible via the official portal at govern.cat, which outlines the new organisational structure of the police force. Trapero’s resignation follows recent controversies, including allegations of police infiltration at a teachers’ assembly and unproven claims of assault during an anti-monarchy protest at Montserrat. However, Parlon has stated that the decision was not due to disagreements but part of a planned transition. The president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, will meet with López and Catà before their official presentation at the Palau de la Generalitat later today.

Primary sources: govern.cat, sac.gencat.cat. Reported by elcorreogallego.es, vilaweb.cat, elperiodico.com, Josep Fusté Llorca Fusté Llorca, lasexta.com, okdiario.com, elconfidencial.com, Miriam Saint-Germain, EFE, Rosa María Corona Gómez, en.ara.cat, Regió 7, elcontrapunt.cat, ara.cat, russpain.com, Racó Català, Diari ARA, elliberal.cat, Segre, bbc.com, L'Empordà, cronicaglobal.cat, El Periódico (CA), Diari de Girona.