KEEPING WITHIN THE LAW

Spain has three main police forces, often with overlapping roles. They are the local municipal police, the national police and the civil guard. Some regions, including the Basque area and Catalonia, have their own police forces. An elite, special operations group is responsible for combating terrorism and guarding Spanish ambassadors and embassies abroad. Other forces include the port police and armed guards employed by banks and security companies.

Municipal police

The municipal police are attached to local town halls in small towns. They wear blue uniforms with white chequered bands on their hats and sleeves and patrol in white or blue cars. Municipal police deal with minor crime such as traffic control, protection of property, civil disturbances and the enforcement of local laws.

National police

Stationed in large towns they deal with serious crime such as robbery, murder and muggings. Other duties include guarding embassies, railway stations, post offices, army barracks and controlling demonstrations. They are housed in a conventional police station some of which have an extranjeros (foreigners) department dealing with residencia cards and other matters relating to foreigners.

Civil guard

The Guardia Civil patrol Spain’s highways in cars or motorcycles. They mainly deal with traffic offences and road accidents, but also act as immigration officers and frontier guards. In villages too small for the national police the Guardia Civil stand in for all duties.

Denuncia

If you have a complaint against someone (for example a neighbour encroaching on your land, making too much noise, or creating smells) you can make an official complaint. It is called a denuncia and is made to the Guardia Civil. The form, called the Certificate de Denuncia, is completed with an official stamp. It may take time but the complaint will be investigated. The denuncia is a good Spanish custom.

In the event of theft or loss of property a police report is required within 24 hours in order to reclaim this loss from an insurance company. The report is again the denuncia. In large cities and tourist areas where theft is common, or pickpockets operate; it seems standard practice to have a translator on hand to help.