50 Elda police confront mayor

FIFTY Local Elda police officers travelled to Alicante on Thursday to confront Elda’s mayor, Adela Pedrosa, demanding improved working conditions. They were heralded by loud sirens and whistles outside the Town Hall.

Pedrosa received them and although their meeting was brief they were satisfied with a commitment to meet again in Elda next week.

Spokesman Joaquín Reverte said: “We didn’t think she would meet with us. Although we do not expect too much from our next meeting, we can air our views. 

“Our working conditions are very poor – some officers continue to work shifts when they are sick because they cannot afford to be without the money – an agent off sick loses around €400 per month.

“One officer attending a robbery jumped a wall, suffering a broken leg – but requested reinstatement to continue working!”

Other complaints included a lack of resources with claims that only four motorcycles are available between 60 traffic police and three of the five allocated patrol cars in the city were out of service.

“We are not asking for any more than other serving officers in other cities,” continued Reverte, “…we just want fair working conditions.”

The mayor declined to comment but confirmed she would be meeting with the police next week.