Benidorm hosts the ceremony awarding medals to 389 local police officers from the province of Alicante, granted by the Generalitat

This morning, L’Aigüera Park hosted a ceremony to award medals to local police officers from the province of Alicante who have carried out outstanding actions in recent years. The tribute, organised by the Ministry of Emergencies and the Interior, recognised a total of 389 officers from 41 municipalities in Alicante.

The ceremony, held in the Julio Iglesias Auditorium, was presided over by the city's mayor, Toni Pérez, and the regional minister for the department, Juan Carlos Valderrama.

Also in attendance were the regional secretary for Emergencies and the Interior, Irene Rodríguez, as well as mayors from several Alicante municipalities. The event itself was an expression of “recognition, gratitude, and pride towards the men and women who, day after day, ensure the safety, community order, and peace of our municipalities—something so valuable and, at times, so fragile,” as the mayor emphasised in his address.

The ceremony began with a speech by the mayor and continued with the presentation of awards and decorations. First, those receiving the Police Merit Cross with red distinction were recognised. These were followed by those awarded the Police Merit Cross with blue distinction, and then those with white distinction. After these recognitions, awards were presented to officers who had completed 25 years of service, along with public commendations, collective commendations, retirement diplomas, and finally, honorary decorations for individuals outside the Local Police for actions benefiting the Valencian Community.

Toni Pérez stated that the awards presented “are not mere symbols or ceremonial gestures,” but rather represent something “deeper” as they are “recognition of an act of service, a career within the force, courage in the line of duty, and a permanent commitment to the citizens.” The mayor also emphasised that each award carries with it a story. “Stories of difficult interventions, of quick and accurate decisions, of help in critical moments; stories of quiet service, of tireless dedication, and of selfless service.”

Pérez referred to the Local Police as “the first line of contact with the public” because “you are the ones who are closest, the ones who truly know the streets, the neighbourhoods, and the people.” In that sense, the mayor emphasised that in a province like Alicante, “diverse and dynamic,” the work of the Local Police officers is “even more essential” because in cities and towns, “security is a guarantee of coexistence, development, and freedom.”

“From Benidorm, an open, welcoming city deeply committed to safety, we proudly tell you that your work also reflects the best of Valencian local government: approachable, efficient, and at the service of the people,” stated Toni Pérez, for whom this event “reaffirms an essential principle: there is no greater merit than serving others with honor and dedication.”

The speech by Regional Minister Juan Carlos Valderrama brought the event to a close. In his remarks, he emphasised that his department “will continue to move forward to improve the Local Police,” and will do so “through subsidies for equipment to guarantee their training and professional development, as well as IVASPE regulations.”

Valderrama stated that “we will continue doing this because security cannot depend solely on the efforts of the officers.” “It requires a firm and sustained institutional commitment,” he added. The Regional Minister addressed the retired officers, saying, “You leave a profound mark on the institution and a legacy that will continue to be present in future generations.” He also thanked all the decorated officers and local police officers of the province “for your dedication, approachability, and composure, and for making each day an act of civic responsibility.” The ceremony concluded with the playing of the anthems of the Valencian Community and Spain.

The Regional Ministry has organised a similar event in each of the three provinces. The first took place on Wednesday, the 12th, in Xirivella; today it was Alicante's turn with the event in Benidorm; and the next one will be held on the 21st in Benicàssim.