Reinstated Catalan police chief will work to restore trust

In his first press conference on Friday as the reinstated head of Catalonia’s police, Josep Lluís Trapero made clear his desire to restore the trust he believes society and Spanish institutions, such as Catalonia’s High Court or other police forces, have lost in the Mossos d’Esquadra over the past few years.

Trapero was restored as the chief of Catalan police on Thursday, not long after he was acquitted by Spain’s National Court for his role during the 2017 referendum. Accused of sedition for allegedly aiding the independence movement, the court cleared him of all charges on 21 October.

“Everyone could have done a better job, including myself,” Trapero stated in reference to the events that took place three years prior, adding that he would strive to make amends.

Catalan interior minister Miquel Sàmper, who also participated in the press conference in Sabadell, augured what he called a “new era” in which “police will act as police.” “Trapero’s acquittal also means the acquittal of the Mossos,” the minister claimed.