High-ranking officials attend. Credit: Benidorm Ciudadano
Benidorm’s Parque de L’Aigüera hosted a ceremony on Friday November 14 to award local police officers from Alicante province who have carried out outstanding duties in recent years. Organised by the Generalitat’s Department of Emergencies and Interior, the event recognised a total of 389 officers from 41 municipalities across the province.
The ceremony took place in the Julio Iglesias auditorium and was presided over by the city’s mayor, Toni Pérez, alongside the regional minister for Emergencies and Interior, Juan Carlos Valderrama.
High-ranking officials attend
Also present were Irene Rodríguez, the regional secretary for Emergencies and Interior, as well as mayors from several Alicante municipalities. The event served as “a tribute of recognition, gratitude, and pride to the men and women who, day by day, safeguard the security, harmony, and peace of our towns and cities – something so valuable yet sometimes fragile,” the mayor said during his speech.
The proceedings began with Mayor Pérez’s address, followed by the presentation of decorations. Recipients of the Police Cross of Merit with a red distinction were recognised first, followed by those with blue and white distinctions. The ceremony then honoured officers with 25 years of service, collective and individual commendations, retirement diplomas, and finally, honorary awards for civilians who contributed to the benefit of the Valencian Community.
Honouring courage and dedication
Toni Pérez highlighted that these awards “are not mere symbols or formal gestures” but carry a deeper meaning, recognising “acts of service, career dedication, bravery in duty, and a continuous commitment to citizens.” He stressed that each decoration represents a story: “Stories of challenging interventions, swift and correct decisions, help in critical moments; stories of silent service, tireless dedication, and selfless commitment without expectation of reward.”
The mayor described the local police as “the first line of contact with the public,” noting that officers “truly know the streets, neighbourhoods, and people.” In a diverse and dynamic province like Alicante, he emphasised, the role of the local police is “even more essential, as security ensures coexistence, development, and freedom in towns and cities.”
A reflection of Valencian municipalism
“From Benidorm, an open and welcoming city committed to safety, we proudly say that your work also reflects the best of Valencian municipalism: close, effective, and service-oriented,” Pérez said. He added that the event reaffirmed a core principle: “There is no greater merit than serving others with honour and dedication.”
Conseller Valderrama highlights continued support
The ceremony concluded with an address from Juan Carlos Valderrama, who pledged that his department “will continue to advance the support for local police, through funding for equipment, training, updates, and the IVASPE regulations.”
He emphasised that “security cannot rely solely on the effort of officers; it requires a firm and ongoing institutional commitment.” Valderrama also paid tribute to retired officers, saying they “leave a lasting mark on the institution and a legacy that will continue with future generations.”
Gratitude to all officers
To all decorated officers and local police in Alicante province, he expressed gratitude “for your dedication, approachability, and calmness, and for making each day an act of civic responsibility.” The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Valencian Community and Spanish national anthems.
The Department of Emergencies and Interior has organised similar ceremonies across the three provinces. The first took place on Wednesday November 12 in Xirivella; and the final ceremony is scheduled for November 21 in Benicàssim.