There are professions that are better understood when you look beyond the uniform. That of a police officer is one of them.
Every October 2nd, on the occasion of the Day of the Guardian Angels, we have the opportunity to stop and publicly recognize those who are part of the National Police. But, above all, we have the opportunity to remember the value of a word that defines a good part of their work: service.
Service means being there when needed. It means responding to an emergency, listening to a victim, investigating a crime, protecting a vulnerable person, or intervening in a situation that can change in a matter of seconds.
Many of these actions never make it to the media. They are hours of work, surveillance, investigation, and attention to citizens that are part of an everyday reality that we don't always see. And precisely because of that, it deserves to be recognized.
In the Canary Islands, we know well the importance of having prepared and accessible State Security Forces and Corps. We live in a territory with unique characteristics, marked by its insularity, by significant tourist activity, and by a diverse and dynamic society. Each island has its own reality and its own needs.
In Lanzarote, that reality is particularly evident. We are an island open to the world, which receives thousands of visitors each year and needs to maintain a balance between activity, coexistence, and security.
The National Police are part of that balance.
Their work does not consist solely of reacting when a crime occurs. A fundamental part of their labor is precisely in preventing, anticipating, investigating, and generating trust. And that trust is not built solely with resources or material means. It is also built with presence, closeness, and professionalism.
That is why I believe that talking about security is also talking about people.
Behind every report there is a person who needs to be heard. Behind every investigation there are victims who await a response. Behind every intervention there are professionals who must act with responsibility, serenity, and respect.
And behind every officer there is also a family that shares, in one way or another, the demands of a profession that does not understand schedules.
Security that we build together
Security also cannot be understood as an exclusive task of those who wear a uniform.
Administrations have the responsibility to provide resources, improve coordination, and facilitate professionals in developing their work under the best conditions. But citizens also play an essential role.
Citizen collaboration, a report, communicating a risk situation, or simply trusting the established channels can be decisive in preventing a crime or contributing to its clarification.
That is why, when we talk about a safe society, we are also talking about a committed society.
In the Canary Islands, we also have a permanent challenge: to continue building a close, effective security that is adapted to our reality. A security that protects both those who live here and those who visit us.
And to achieve this, we need coordination between the different administrations and between the Security Forces and Corps. The National Police, the Civil Guard, local police forces, emergency services, and all public institutions are part of the same task: protecting people and guaranteeing their rights.
As the Insular Director of the General State Administration in Lanzarote, I have the opportunity to closely observe a part of that work and to share meetings, analyses, and moments with the professionals who are at the forefront of that responsibility every day.
And if there is one thing I can highlight, it is that behind the data, statistics, and security devices, there is something much more important: people who have chosen to dedicate their profession to serving others.
That is why, this October 2nd, I want to convey my recognition to all the men and women of the National Police. To those who work in the Canary Islands and to those who work anywhere in Spain.
A recognition that I also want to extend to their families, for understanding and accompanying the demands of a profession that, on many occasions, requires prioritizing service over personal comfort.
Celebrating the Day of the Guardian Angels is celebrating the National Police, but it is also recognizing a way of understanding public service.
And of responding when it is most needed.
To all the men and women of the National Police, my recognition, my respect, and my gratitude.
Happy Day of the Guardian Angels.
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