On January 13, the National Police celebrated two centuries of history in the province of Alicante, highlighting its collaboration with LALIGA and football clubs under the banner “Always with you.” The aim was to honor the police force for its ongoing support of football and sport in general and to recognize the dedication shown by officers at all levels.
As part of these commemorations, a dignified kick-off is scheduled for Sunday, January 21. Football matches in Alicante and Elche will feature two National Police officers in uniform at the start, underscoring the joint celebration with fans and clubs alike.
In Alicante, the meeting will be held at 12:00 at the José Rico Pérez stadium, featuring Hercules CF and SD Formentera. The kick-off will occur as the match begins. In Elche, the match between Elche CF and Real Valladolid CF will start at 21:00 at the Manuel Martínez Valero stadium.
The partnership between the National Police and LALIGA dates back to 2015, when the Directorate for Security, Integrity and Emergency Situations was established. Since then, numerous joint actions have taken place, including fifteen Professional Football Safety Seminars organized with support from the National Sports Authority. Eight trainings were conducted for security staff working in football stadiums in collaboration with the Central Private Security Unit.
Additionally, sixty-two instructors participated in programs led by the National Police Update and Specialization Center. The collaboration between LALIGA and the National Police also includes ongoing efforts to combat piracy and disrupt organizations that distribute illegal sports content at national and international levels.
The bicentennial celebrations will unfold through a comprehensive program of events across 2024, coordinated by the National Commission, an inter-ministerial body within the Home Office. The initiative operates under the honorary chairmanship of Their Majesties the King and Queen, ensuring broad national engagement.
Buses marked in Alicante for the anniversary of the National Police
Today, Friday, the commemorative bus for the National Police’s 200th anniversary was launched in Plaza Puerta del Mar. In recognition of the Bicentennial, the Vectalia Group, which manages Alicante’s city bus network, marked one of its buses with the National Police logo to participate in the commemorations. The marked vehicle operates on line 6, running from the bus station to the Juan XXIII neighborhood and will display the 200th anniversary emblem on its rear.
The presentation was attended by Juan Manuel Nieves Martínez, Sub-Delegate of the Government of Alicante; Manuel Lafuente Lázaro, Commissioner and Alicante National Police Provincial Chief; and Antonio Arias, President of the Vectalia Group. The National Police extended thanks to the Vectalia group for its enthusiasm and support in celebrating the bicentennial of the police force.