The assembly of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Local Police has decided to refuse to cover any extra services requested by the government due to ongoing disputes over organisational issues and management practices. This decision means that officers in the capital will avoid providing support for events, activities, or deployments considered as voluntary or outside their normal duties.
The absence of additional police presence will likely impact summer operations, including security at beaches and festivals, as many officers will be on holiday. Sources within the police highlighted concerns about reduced staffing during key events.
In a bid to formalise their protest, participating officers will submit internal forms indicating they wish to “temporarily postpone their voluntary availability” for any events or services beyond their regular roles. They emphasised that this decision is temporary and linked to poor relations with local authorities.
The Santa Cruz government has refrained from commenting on the protest but stated that they respect the unions’ position.
This is not the first time officers and unions have voiced dissatisfaction regarding extra duties, arguing that the financial compensation is inadequate. During last year’s Carnival, the CSIF union raised alarms over a lack of volunteers for demanding shifts, attributing the unrest to the refusal of the HR councillor, Purificación Dávila, to acknowledge the challenges faced by officers during festive periods.
The police described their work as involving challenging hours, exposure to risks, and the need for specific support measures that are currently neglected.
This situation mirrors past tensions, including a similar issue with the city’s market in January, and raises concerns over the management of special summer services.
