New police officers finally arrive

A total of 146 new National Police officers have finally arrived in the Balearic Islands to join the island's security forces.
These new officers will help boost the staff shortages which have been present in the Balearic police force for past five years and will bring the force up to 95 per cent of the predicted target for police numbers within the Balearic Police Plan 2000. During the presentation where all 146 officers were in attendance in full uniform, it was revealed that 68 will be working in Palma, 52 in Ibiza, 10 in Mahon, 10 in Ciutadela and 6 will carry out police duties in Manacor. This new police contigency will help residents feel safer on the streets and at home, and they will also carry out duties in distinct police stations, municipalities and airports. The arrival of these new officers has increased the National Police Force numbers by 33 percent in one year and a half. Now the force will have a total of 1'360 agents. Crime on the islands has not changed in type over the last few years, and the majority of crimes are usually related to drug trafficking, thefts and swindling, said Ramon Socias, central government representative, who was at the presentation yesterday with police chief Elicio Amez. The dramatic increase in the Balearic population over recent years has put a major strain on the island's security forces.