Palma City Council has argued that the footage circulated of a Local Police operation against migrants shows only part of the incident, which it has justified on the grounds of “aggression, threats and resistance” towards the officers by a group of people. In a statement, the Council referred to a video posted on social media and highlighted by MÉS per Palma, which has demanded an explanation for a “violent” police operation last Monday in the Playa de Palma. The operation, carried out as part of
the summer reinforcement programme for Tourist Security (Setur), resulted in two arrests for alleged involvement in offences of assaulting law enforcement officers, serious resistance and causing bodily harm. The City Council has stated that two Local Police officers were injured, as recorded in the police report and the medical reports issued following the operation. According to the case file, during the operation one of the officers observed a street vendor leaving the area upon noticing the police presence. When the police vehicle arrived at the
scene, the man abruptly changed direction and, despite the officer’s instructions, rammed into the police vehicle. According to the report, the alleged perpetrator “put up strong resistance and displayed an aggressive attitude”, meaning that “the intervention of several officers was necessary to subdue and arrest him”. As a result of these events, the officer sustained injuries to his right elbow and shoulder. As the police vehicle was preparing to leave the area via the s’Arenal road, the council continued, several officers remained outside to facilitate
its departure. At that moment, a group of between eight and ten street vendors reportedly surrounded the officers, shouting abuse at them and obstructing the vehicle’s progress. Faced with this situation, support was requested from the rest of the officers and, as also recorded in the police report, several members of the group adopted a hostile attitude towards the officers. Furthermore, three of them reportedly picked up stones and paving stones from the ground to throw at the police, with the objects passing within a
short distance of their heads. During these incidents, the officers arrested another man, allegedly involved in the assaults, who put up “strong resistance” to his arrest, struck and punched one of the officers, and made repeated threats against the officers. Consequently, another officer suffered post-traumatic intercostal neuritis in the left rib area, despite wearing a protective vest; these injuries were documented in the relevant medical report. Both detainees were brought before the court, together with the police report and the relevant medical reports. The City
Council has stated that this operation forms part of the ongoing work being carried out by the Local Police to ensure compliance with the civic by-law. In this instance, the operation led to the dismantling of six illegal street trading stalls and the seizure of a large quantity of goods intended for illicit sale. According to the Council, the intensification of these operations has increased the pressure on this activity and “has led to incidents of hostility on the part of street vendors towards the
officers responsible for enforcing the regulations”. Nevertheless, the council has condemned the attacks on the officers and has conveyed his “appreciation and support” for the “professionalism and responsibility demonstrated during the operation”.
Palma council, Playa de Palma, Local Police, Setur, Tourist Security, illegal street trading, street vendors, arrests, assaulting law enforcement officers, resistance, injuries