During a solemn ceremony held on Tuesday at Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante, the National Police marked its 200th anniversary with a display of honor. A dozen decorations were awarded to officers for their long-standing service, and diplomas of appreciation were presented to nearly a hundred state officials and retired honorary police officers in recognition of their contributions to public safety over recent years.
The event also coincided with the formal act of raising the national flag, a moment that underscored the unity and resolve of the service. Leaders from multiple brigades and police stations across Alicante gathered, including representatives from Elche, Alcoy, Elda-Petrer, Orihuela, Dénia, and Benidorm. Although the Alicante City Council plenary session limited the presence of some company members, other military, judicial, and civil officials joined in the commemoration to honor two centuries of dedicated public service by the Police.
On the platform, the state chief commissioner Manuel Lafuente was accompanied by several officials and three former chiefs of office, Javier Cuasante, Enrique Durán, and Alfonso Cid. In his remarks, Lafuente charted the evolution of the Police since the creation of the General Police of the Kingdom on January 13, 1824. He stressed that the National Police can only be understood through the lens of core values: morality, honesty, modesty, justice, and an unwavering vocation of public service that has guided its mission for two centuries.
Adaption
Lafuente highlighted that the Police have continuously evolved to meet new challenges while remaining a solid, useful, and trusted institution. He spoke of the organization’s forward-looking posture, noting that public confidence provides the legitimacy to serve society with ambition. The foundation of Police 2030 rests on strong professional training, digital modernization, and a firm commitment to equality and human rights. International collaboration and effective cooperation with both the civic and corporate sectors are central pillars of this security blueprint, as described by the provincial superintendent.
Juan Antonio Nieves, the deputy Government delegate in Alicante, also addressed the audience to celebrate the 200th anniversary and to commend the Police for their work in addressing gender-based violence. Nieves emphasized the ongoing pursuit of gender equality, calling it an essential principle for a just and modern society. He urged continued progress toward equal opportunities for all, underscoring that fairness for women and men remains a fundamental objective for public life and safety in the region.