On Thursday evening, the mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, was confronted by a group of Palma Police union representatives who were staging a protest outside the Casal Solleric. This was to demand the immediate implementation of the new plan for the organisation of the police force and followed a similar demonstration a few days previously.
Martínez said this was "a staged event". "Perfectly legitimate. They have to do their job, and we will do ours." But he insisted he will not tolerate threats or pressure, stressing: "If we all work together, we will achieve something better and what the citizens need. If we don't work together, the citizens of Palma will likely suffer. And this mayor is committed to the citizens and their security."
The union has made clear that it had expected the plan to have come into effect at the start of the year. Martínez denied having set a specific date. "Did you hear me commit to the plan being implemented on the first of January?"
"My intention has always been for the plan to be implemented as soon as possible. If it could have been in January, fine. The plan will be ready when it is legally and administratively viable, as I have reiterated on several occasions. But paramount is the city and its safety."