Formentera salutes work of island law enforcement during pandemic

foto 2020 honorifics PLF 3The Consell de Formentera paid tribute to Formentera Local Police today as the island observed an annual salute to law enforcement. Special thanks were in order for the whole force, with Crosses for Police Merit awarded to every officer along with exceptional honours going to department chief Félix Ramos for his work during the crisis stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Enrique Gómez Bastida, for his part, received honorary decorations from the Consell as chief commander of the Eivissa-Formentera Guardia Civil.

In a speech, Consell premier Alejandra Ferrer emphasised Formentera Local Police’s work during what she acknowledged was an “intense year”, asserting “the ensemble of this force put public service first when the chips were down, when what we needed to effectively explain and uphold emergency order restrictions were officers of the law that were also members of the community”.

Alluding to the current state of affairs, Ferrer acknowledged, “It’s tough to stay optimistic amid this second wave of new cases, but today we can take satisfaction in the unwavering effort that our local officers have without respite put in”. “Indeed”, she continued, “perseverance will ultimately be what gets us through and ensures we come out fighting on the other side. I ask all of us to keep our guards up — not to live in fear, but with respect and a sense of personal responsibility for sake of the common good”.

In his remarks, interior chief Josep Marí said that key to securing islanders’ cooperation with Covid-19-related restrictions had been the “tremendous industry of the force collectively, not just during the state of emergency but after as well, in this most atypical of seasons.” Police chief Ramos had praise for officers too, along with a special show of gratitude for their collaborative work with other emergency responders. Ramos also joined in heaping appreciation on Commander Bastida. Speaking on behalf of the force as a whole, school liaison officer Pilar Daviu saluted Chief Ramos’s work and his support for officers.

Honours for Formentera Local Police officers
Nine officers —José Yern, Carlos Malberti, Marcos Roig, Marc Aragay, Javier Torrens, Pilar Daviu, Vicente Aguilar, Sergi Rodríguez and José Antonio Perera— earned the Cross for Police Merit, along with a green badge for valour, distinction, acumen and virtue. Special commendation centred on the force’s “professionalism, public spirit and bravery in successfully executing the complex work of coronavirus crisis responders”. After emergency powers were invoked, Formentera’s law officers did more than carry on upholding public safety; they took on new functions which demanded unflagging effort in their own right. With the crisis still in effect today, those efforts persist.

Honours for Police chief Félix Ramos
Police chief Ramos was given the same Cross for Police Merit and green badge as the rest of the force, along with special mention for bestowing dignity and prestige on the work of local law enforcement and for bravery, exemplary conduct and distinction in the face of the grave, strange and unpredictable public health threat Covid-19 represents.

Honours for Commander Enrique Gómez Bastida
The chief commander of the Eivissa-Formentera civil guard received the Consell’s Honorary Decoration — a distinction awarded on a discretionary basis to people and entities not on the force for dedication and determination to the benefit of the objectives of Formentera Local Police. As the sole delegate commander, a figure that is accountable for public safety and responsible for local security and police forces, Bastida rose to serve amid a public health disaster in which the commander’s management, coordination and leadership showed valour, excellence, judgement and ability. Bastida’s professionalism, public spirit and bravery equipped the commander to perform duties with distinct success — a particularly remarkable feat considering the unusual backdrop of the state of emergency in response to Covid-19. Commander Bastida displayed valuable leadership with altruism, self-sacrifice and commitment to safety and public health.

Also on hand at the event were the Balearic minister of modernisation and public administrations, Isabel Castro; the central government’s delegate on Eivissa and Formentera, Enrique Sánchez Navarrete; officers of the Spanish police and Guardia Civil; Formentera deputy premier Ana Juan; local cabinet councillors and members of the opposition; and family and friends of local law enforcement officers.

3 October 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera