In Alicante, the fourth criminal court of the province ruled on Tuesday in favor of a case brought by the Jupol union against the General Directorate of Security (DGP) regarding the alleged failure to supply bulletproof vests to officers stationed in Alicante. This marks the initial step in a broader set of lawsuits aimed at challenging the DGP for not complying with professional risk prevention standards and for exposing agents to significant danger due to a lack of essential protective equipment.
Jupol has filed similar lawsuits in Elche, Benidorm, and Valencia. During the Alicante hearing, union attorney Raquel Sánchez requested compensation for a subset of representatives who lack the necessary protective gear to perform their duties safely. The proposed awards ranged from 20,000 to 40,000 euros, arguing that the absence of vital protection places officers at serious risk while carrying out assigned tasks.
David García, the Provincial Secretary of Jupol in Alicante, explained that the claim rests on an internal regulation within the General Directorate of Police that recognizes the obligation to provide such protective items to frontline officers. He noted that the council has a duty to ensure officers are equipped to handle their responsibilities without compromising their health or safety.
According to Jupol, about 600 police officers in Alicante have not received bulletproof vests from the Police Headquarters. Several witnesses testified at today’s session in support of the union’s position, underscoring the widespread concern about inadequate protective equipment among frontline personnel.
David García stated that the Directorate is slow to supply vests, leaving some officers without protection for more than a decade. He argued that the DGP does not consistently adhere to established safety regulations and that this pattern endangers officers repeatedly on the job.
Risk prevention
In its statement, the union argued that the decree RD 2/2006, enacted on January 16, sets out clear rules for preventing occupational risks in the duties performed by National Police Service members. Article 3, which concerns the rights to protection against occupational hazards, emphasizes that National Police Service personnel have the right to effective safety measures, and that the State Administration must take the necessary steps to secure the health and safety of government workers in all aspects related to police duties.
The decree also requires the Administration to ensure that work equipment is adequate for planned tasks and to guarantee the safety and health of officers and staff using such equipment. It further specifies that personal protective equipment should be provided to officers and must be appropriate for their functions, ensuring proper and effective use.
Jupol is asking the court to compel the General Directorate of Security to supply bulletproof vests to officers and to grant compensation for the risk and harm endured over the years. The union argues that providing adequate protective gear is a fundamental obligation and that the absence of vests creates a material risk that cannot be ignored.
David García reiterated the seriousness of a vestless working environment and affirmed that Jupol’s demand is straightforward: one vest per officer who lacks protection. The union’s statement also highlighted the persistence of the issue, indicating that the Directorate has repeatedly resisted addressing the danger faced by agents. The union emphasizes that the responsible authority must act immediately to equip police personnel with the necessary tools to carry out their assignments safely, alongside appropriate compensation for the risk incurred over time.
The case underscores a broader debate about occupational safety within law enforcement bodies, particularly when it concerns long-standing shortages of essential protective equipment. The outcome could set a precedent for how similar claims are handled across other regions, potentially prompting policy reviews and accelerated procurement processes to ensure frontline officers receive the gear required to perform their duties securely.
Related posts:
Alicante Police Staffing, Gear, and Crime Concerns Highlighted by JUPOL Jupol highlights gaps in protective gear for National Police trainees in Alicante Safety Gear Gaps Lifted: JUPOL Highlights Protective Equipment Shortfalls for National Police Alicante honors police service and security advances during Day of the Dead observance {“title”:”NATO Praises Russian Bulletproof Vests and Global Demand”} {“title”:”””,meta_title_variants”:[]”,meta_description_variants”:[]} Alicante Local Police Faces Delays in Protective Gear as New Recruits Prepare to Serve Piket Vest Case: Cash Seizure and Fraud Charges in Defense-Procurement Probe Hotel Agalia hosts 26th Day of Suicide Prevention for Security Forces and Bodies in Murcia Seizure Ties to Allegations of Substandard Bulletproof Vests for Defense Ministry Jucil Urges Ballistic Flotation Vests for Guardia Civil Maritime Service Madrid Court Affirms Moral Damages in Police Boarding Denial Case