The City Council of Torrejón de Ardoz celebrated Police Day with an emotional recognition ceremony for the work of the agents and security forces, presided over by the mayor, Alejandro Navarro, where Esperanza Aguirre was also honored for her collaboration with the Local Police Force in creating the BESCAM in 2004. Police Day in Torrejón de Ardoz 2025 San Juan Bautista was held on May 31st, in the unique setting of Parque Europa.
Torrejón de Ardoz, June 2, 2025. The Red Distinctive Merit Cross was awarded to Esperanza Aguirre Gil de Biedma, former Minister of Education and Culture, the first woman to preside over the Spanish Senate, and the first woman elected president of a Spanish Autonomous Community. Honored for her invaluable collaboration with the Local Police Force and with Torrejón de Ardoz in creating the BESCAM in 2004, a security project by the Government of the Community of Madrid aimed at funding local police forces. This initiative contributed to the improvement of public safety in our city, adding 100 police officers to our force, doubling its size. Thanks to this investment and the efforts of the local governments of Torrejón, the city went from being one of the most unsafe in Spain to one of the safest. Additionally, thanks to Esperanza Aguirre, Torrejón saw one of its historic demands fulfilled with the construction and opening of the city’s public hospital.
The mayor praised «the great work our Local Police Force did in assisting many citizens affected by the DANA in Valencia, a gesture recognized by the mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, who, on behalf of the city, awarded the Professional Merit Cross to the Local Police Force of Torrejón de Ardoz for their help in those difficult times.» Police officers who voluntarily participated in the contingents organized by our Headquarters received a replica of the Professional Merit Cross from the city of Valencia, which the Local Police of Torrejón de Ardoz received for their assistance during the DANA.
Furthermore, recognition was given to police officers who had outstanding performances the previous year, with Álvaro Martinez Garcia, a Local Police agent, receiving the White Distinctive Merit Cross for his remarkable intervention while off duty. He observed an attempted homicide while walking his dog and pursued the perpetrator, successfully apprehending them. Manuel Carballo Diaz, a Local Police sub-inspector, and Álvaro Barreiro Ortiz, a Local Police agent, also received this recognition for preventing the suicide of an individual armed with a knife threatening self-harm. They managed to disarm the person during a moment of distraction.
«Today is a day of celebration for the entire team, experiencing their best moments of unity and camaraderie, with a great working atmosphere as reported by the agents. Therefore, the awarding of the crosses for their constancy in various categories, Bronze for 15 years of service and Silver for 20 years of service, holds a special significance. Thank you all for your constancy, loyalty, and dedication to our Local Police,» stated the mayor addressing the officers.
The White Distinctive Merit Cross was also awarded to José Antonio Carballada, a traffic commander of the Civil Guard in Paracuellos del Jarama, in recognition of his collaboration with the Local Police of Torrejón de Ardoz, as well as to Apolinar Prado, chief inspector of the National Police. There were also distinctions for other entities that collaborated with the city, such as the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base, Local Police of Pozuelo de Alarcón, Local Police of Boadilla del Monte, Madrid Cavalry Squadron, Volunteer Civil Protection Group of Torrejón de Ardoz, and Local Police of Valencia.
Police officers from different shifts were honored for their outstanding performance in carrying out their duties, demonstrating calm and diligence in decision-making, as well as GEO, one of the canine unit dogs, and SIBA, another four-legged companion involved in rescue operations, who, alongside Basilio Vigil, found one of our missing neighbors.
Alejandro Navarro Prieto assured the police officers, «I want to emphasize that my commitment to you will remain steadfast, as you are essential to the daily life of our city. Therefore, I will continue to improve the working conditions of the force, which will undoubtedly motivate you to strive for excellence and achieve the main goal of improving security and coexistence in Torrejón de Ardoz.»
Finally, this year the Torrejón City Council and the Local Police Headquarters paid a special tribute and gratitude to all those who were part of the Local Police force and have since retired, but will always be part of the history and memory of our City Council. Likewise, a special thanks to civilian personnel and entities that have shown their commitment to the citizens and our Local Police.
