Two off-duty National Police officers were attacked early this Sunday in the center of Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) by a group of people, according to police sources. The attackers approached from behind and after the first punch they told them: “You are not on duty now, damned rats”, explain the federal police union (UFP), to which both officers belong. There were about six people in the group. For this attack the police made an arrest and the investigations continue, the same police sources report.
Both police officers are hospitalized. One of them has lost three teeth, can no longer see in one eye and is suspected to have “a possible broken jaw”. The other officer has a broken collarbone.
The police officers were returning from a dinner with other colleagues from the city’s Operational Response Group (GOR). This unit is responsible for citizen safety tasks and provides a rapid response to high-incidence crimes, such as policing drug retail areas or supporting in risk situations. Upon their return they were recognized by a group of people from one of the neighborhoods of Alcalá de Henares and the attack occurred.
Two other officers walking in front of them, but at a distance, could do nothing to prevent it. They were in charge of treating them in the first few minutes and taking them to hospital.
The attack comes just hours after an officer was seriously injured this Saturday after being shot during an anti-drug operation in Seville. “Respect for the principle of authority has been lost in this country,” lamented the UFP union.
The union has once again called for “judicial and police measures” to urgently protect the officers, as well as for them to be declared once and for all a “profession at risk”. “They are our members, they will have legal and administrative assistance. If the government does not defend us, we will”, they added.
