The Arrecife City Council paid tribute this Sunday to 29 officers of the Local Police Force in an institutional ceremony held in the plenary hall, on the occasion of the Arrecife Police Day. The ceremony was presided over by the mayor, Yonathan de León, and was attended by representatives of the various Security Forces and Corps of Lanzarote.
During the ceremony, eight official medals for service in active duty were presented, distinctions regulated for the Local Police Forces of the Canary Islands, as well as 21 honorary mentions to officers who have distinguished themselves for their interventions in rescue, assistance, emergency, and citizen security operations in recent months.
On behalf of the municipal corporation, the mayor thanked the decorated officers for their dedication and professionalism, highlighting their actions in assisting crime victims, rescues in high-risk situations, and police operations that led to the arrest of fugitives from justice.
"On this commemoration of Arrecife Police Day, we recognize the work of the entire force and, in a special way, the officers who today receive these distinctions for ensuring the safety and protection of our neighbors and visitors every day," Yonathan de León emphasizedBefore a full plenary hall, the mayor highlighted the coordination between the different police forces operating in the capital, a collaboration that, as he recalled, has contributed to Arrecife currently being the only municipality in Lanzarote where crime rates are decreasing, according to official data from the Ministry of the Interior
The mayor also highlighted the role of the Arrecife Local Police as a benchmark in the Canary Islands and nationally, thanks to the implementation of new measures and resources such as the Anti-Squatting Line, the shooting and simulation range, the modernization of the vehicle fleet, the incorporation of advanced technology, and the specialization of its operational units.
More agents and more resources in 2026
Yonathan de León announced that the year 2026 will bring significant improvements to the Local Police, including a new technological system for more efficient incident management, an expansion of the vehicle fleet, and the reinforcement of staff with the incorporation of 15 new officers, in addition to personnel on loan.
The government group's objective, as explained, is to reach the recommended staffing ratios for municipalities of similar population. A commitment that was recognized by the deputy chief commissioner of the Arrecife Local Police, José Antonio Lasso Tabares, who highlighted the mayor's direct involvement in improving the conditions and resources of the police force.
The event concluded with the mayor's commitment to reach more than 130 officers on staff before the end of 2027, a goal that, he noted, depends on the elimination or relaxation of replacement rates by the State Government, as citizen security is an essential service.
