information
The structure of the Mossos d’Esquadra
The Mossos d’Esquadra is territorially structured into nine regions (Girona, Ponent, Western Pyrenees, Central, Northern Metropolitan, Barcelona, Southern Metropolitan, Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l’Ebre).
Each police region comprises a set of basic police areas, which is the basic unit of territorial coverage, defined according to territorial and police criteria.
Depending on their features and layout, the basic police areas may have one or more district police stations. These are intended to decentralise some of the area’s police services and thus provide a better and more local service to the citizens living in the area.
In addition to this territorial division, the Mossos d’Esquadra structures some of its police services into more specialised functional departments (e.g. investigation, operational resources, traffic, protection command), as well as departments for managing the organisation and planning its activities, in order to better deal with safety and security issues.
Police ranks
Police ranks
Description of the functions performed by the members of the police force, according to rank:
LOW POLICE RANKS
Ranks: Officer and Corporal
Functions: The tasks involved in performing police duties, and the command of one or more low-ranking officers in the various police services.
INTERMEDIATE POLICE RANKS
Ranks: Sergeant and Sub-inspector
Functions: Operational command and supervision of tasks carried out by police units, groups and sub-groups.
EXECUTIVE POLICE RANKS
Ranks: Inspector
Functions: Management of the departments and units making up the Mossos d’Esquadra and, when necessary, the command of police activity.
SUPERIOR POLICE RANKS
Ranks: Intendant, Commissioner and Major
Functions: Command, management, guidance, coordination and inspection at the highest level of the police services.
SUPPORT
Functions: Police support and coverage, performing the tasks of the profession for which they are qualified (having necessarily presented said qualification to join the force), as well as police support tasks that require specific knowledge and specific training.
Basic training course for police officers
This basic training course prepares and qualifies students to become police officers, join Catalonia’s police forces and carry out basic police duties. The police service they provide is understood as a public service with a broad-based concept of safety and security. The course is based on and promotes the following values: proximity, commitment, integrity, respect, willingness to serve and belonging.
The graduation ceremony is an institutional event and an exciting day for all the men and women aspiring to become police officers. After completing the course, graduates move on to the second stage of the selective process, which involves practical training in the police organisations to which they are assigned.
The percentage of women taking the basic training course and joining the Mossos d’Esquadra grows every year. Police officers’ training begins at the Police School in this basic course and lasts for as long as their careers. Female teachers and instructors, who are becoming more prevalent as well, serve as role models for the women who are just now setting off on their professional journey.
Photos of students on the basic training course for police officers.
