The Salobreña Policía Local has found a novel way of protesting against manpower shortages by putting (Despicable Me) Minions in municipal-police uniforms.

These ‘new officers,’ which can be found at the entrance to town as well as on the beachfront road (Paseo Marítimo) and next to the Peñon, “work 24 hours a day without salary,” point out the police union SIPLG Salobreña.

There are four PC Minions; one for each of the new officers required for the municipal police force, which was promised by the Mayor last year. However, it is not just about increasing the manpower numbers, but also about better pay.

According to the police union their officers are desperate; there were only 15 officers doing patrol duties this summer, which dropped to ten with those on sick leave. Seven other officers are on desk or administrative duties.

According to SIPLG, the official ratio officers to population stipulates that there should be 30 officers on the staff. They point out that 2008 was the last time that places for more officers were covered.

The overtime accrued during the pandemic and hours owed in total means that some officers are owed around 10,000 euros. These officers have since refused to work any more overtime.

Some of those off sick are for reasons of “anxiety and stress” because the burden takes its toll, claim the SIPLG.

Finally, the Vuelta Ciclista on the 1st of September is going to be a headache. Incidents may occur because of a shortage in available officers.

(News: Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)