Tacoronte Police Officers Demand Chief's Removal, Cite Leadership Failures

Eight officers from the Tacoronte Local Police have written to Mayor Sandra Izquierdo. They are asking her to remove their current chief, Gabriel Medina, and replace him with his second-in-command, Officer Luis Alexis Castro.

In their letter, dated October 7, the officers highlight problems with how the Chief's office has been run since Gabriel Medina took charge in 2016. They believe that even with his long career, it's time to seriously review his leadership. The two-page letter details why they feel a new chief is essential.

Their concerns include issues with how effectively the force operates, a lack of strong leadership, a worsening work atmosphere, poor use of resources, and problems with administrative tasks. They claim that for a long time, the current chief has barely, if ever, been involved in crucial duties like making arrests, conducting inspections, or writing police reports.

The officers who signed the letter argue that this lack of involvement has directly hurt the force's ability to do its job, leaving officers without the support they need. They also point to a "deteriorated work environment" caused by poor internal communication and conflict resolution. They believe this negatively impacts staff morale, teamwork, and overall well-being.

They also criticize how resources are managed and distributed. They state that decisions about equipment and staff have caused unease and a feeling of unfairness among officers. This, they say, has harmed how effectively the force operates and how fairly resources are shared.

When it comes to administrative issues, the officers mention problems with the "Gestiona" program, a system meant to simplify procedures. They say these issues have led to deadlines being missed or files being processed incorrectly. Furthermore, they claim that poor communication with the Department of Security and the Mayor's Office has hindered the smooth running of local events and services.

For the role of Chief, the officers suggest Luis Alexis Castro. They describe him as having a distinguished career in Tacoronte and over two years of experience with the Local Police in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. They also praise his consistent willingness to help, even in his own time, by effectively supporting and guiding other officers during important duties.

They conclude by expressing their belief that appointing Castro would bring unity, efficiency, and stability to the police force, improving its operations and public safety. They note he has already shown these qualities while serving as acting Chief. The Tacoronte local government has not yet commented on the officers' proposal.