On August 21, 2021, a National Police Corps official working the morning shift at the weapon and shooting range office of the Higher Police Headquarters in the Balearic Islands in Palma allowed three non-police personnel to enter the shooting range. These individuals included two actresses from the TV series Servir y Proteger, which aired on Spanish television until last year, accompanied by a man who wanted to receive training on handling weapons. One of the actresses requested this instruction due to criticism she had received when her character on the show was seen using weapons. The official offered them 45 minutes of training to improve their stance and body position without obtaining any authorization from his superiors. He was later suspended for six days for this unauthorized action.
The Balearic Islands High Court has partially upheld the appeal filed by the officer against the National Police Directorate’s decision, reducing the suspension to two days by downgrading the offense from serious to mild. The court found that the official allowed the entry of the three individuals without any authorization, allowing them to take photographs inside the shooting range that were later posted on Instagram. The pictures showed the two actresses holding a gun inside the Police Headquarters shooting range. In the lawsuit, the official claimed that he granted access to the gallery at the request of a colleague and provided training on handling a pistol to the two actresses known for their roles in Servir y Proteger, a police-themed series that ran for seven seasons.
The official argued that he believed the training would be positively received by the public, as the weapons used would be simulated and harmless. He even informed the head of the press office about the training in case they wanted to publicize it. The judges stated that the officer should have known that the shooting range in police premises is reserved exclusively for police officers, making the use by outsiders abnormal and requiring authorization from unit superiors. However, they considered the use of the space for this purpose to be harmless and not intended to undermine police resources, leading to the downgrade of the penalty to a two-day suspension. They concluded that there was no risk to citizens as real weapons were not used.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to regulations and protocols in law enforcement environments. Despite the officer’s intentions to promote a positive image of the police, his unauthorized actions led to disciplinary measures being taken against him. The court’s decision to reduce the penalty highlights the distinction between minor infractions and more serious breaches of protocol within the police force. It also underscores the need for clear guidelines and communication within law enforcement agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future. Adherence to rules and regulations is essential to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of police operations.
