The 1,215 men and 144 women who work at the headquarters of the Civil Guard in Tenerife, in the capital neighborhood of Ofra, celebrated their big day. A October 12 ° marked on the calendar for those who provide services in the different units based on the Command located at number 3 Conde de Pallasar street. For a double reason. On one side celebrate their patron saint, the Virgin of the Pillar, within the framework of the national holiday. On the other hand, to commemorate the 178 anniversary of its foundation.
Today’s “great challenge” is knowing how to unite the values of dedication and sacrifice of primer of the Duke of Ahumada, who created the Armed Institute in 1844, and the tradition of almost two centuries of history with the knowledge of new technologies to combat the crimes of the 21st century such as cybercrime. It is the immediate goal. In the medium term, we must add the aim of increasing the current 8.9% of women in the workforce – the almost 200 pioneers entered in 1988 – until reaching the long-awaited 40%.
gala day
Gala day at the headquarters of the Canary Islands Zone and 16th Command of Ofra. The day marks the return to normality of the institutional act after two years of not holding the Covid-19 pandemic. Honors, martial arts, military music, a parade -it was not spoiled by the fine rain that fell- and speeches in the presence of authorities, but above all family and friends. In addition to 17 decorations to officers, agents or entities and people outside the body for outstanding services. The ceremony was full of emotional overtones in its overall balance. Those moments of special emotion were experienced above all in the tribute to the fallen when a laurel wreath was placed on the monolith that remembers them and the heartfelt song of Death is not the end. The choral interpretation of the anthem of the civil guard also gave goosebumps. Without forgetting the solemnity of the national. All of them performed by the musicians of the Unit of the General Headquarters of the Canary Islands Command and the War Band of the Canary Islands Brigade.
The data
The Subdelegate of the Government of Spain. José Javier Plata highlighted the role of the Civil Guard for peaceful coexistence and security throughout the country, in the Canary Islands and in Tenetife. He cited a text by Benito Pérez Galdós to value “severity but with justice” as norms in the Benemérita. Plata highlighted the specialization and modernization of the Corps in the face of new challenges. He stressed the fact that the Autonomous Community has the lowest crime rate in the last twelve years and the high resolution of crimes. He also recalled the 5.2% increase in positions in the Civil Guard in recent years in the Archipelago and the 671 next replacement. The Deputy Delegate also outlined some outstanding services in recent times, such as those undertaken during the eruption of the La Palma volcano or the tireless work in the face of migratory flows. Without forgetting the painful episode of the disappearance of the girls Anna and Olivia in mid-2021. Nor did he want to leave without mentioning the fight of the special units against gender violence, Seprona’s effort for the environment, the work against the cybercrime or that of traffic agents in favor of road safety. all this from humility, loyalty, professionalism and work. He concluded with a sentence. “My deepest respect and admiration for the Civil Guard.”
two difficult years
José María Tienda Serrano is the Acting Colonel in Chief of the Civil Guard Zone in the Canary Islands. After reviewing the forces that honored him, he glossed “in an act that we can finally celebrate together” the work of his men and women in two complicated years. Due to the pandemic, due to the eruption of the La Palma volcano or due to the kidnapping and disappearance of the girls Anna and Olivia, once again present with special mention to the crew of the Ángeles Alvariño oceanographic vessel. Extraordinary events “that did not prevent us from continuing with the daily task,” he pointed out. The balance is more than 50 investigation operations with 164 detainees, 71,000 kilos of drugs seized, as well as recovered or seized effects worth 541,000 euros. Store remembered the retired personnel, the wives and children of the civil guards and those decorated in the act. He also referred to the new service letter 2022-2025 of the 16th Command approved last July that describes and reports on the tasks carried out. He did not want to end without thanking the rest of the police forces present on the Island and each of the men and women under his command for their collaboration. He did so by addressing “from my Lieutenant Colonel Chief of Operations to the most modern and recently incorporated student guard.” He gave his reasons because if they, his “selfless service, sacrifice and availability, all this would not have been possible.” Another recovered tradition, that of the toast with Spanish wine in a crowded sports complex closed one intense morning. The individual awards or speeches did not hide a single collective protagonist: the Civil Guard.
