Marlaska turns to the head of the Balearic Police to overcome the DAO case crisis

PalmThe Ministry of the Interior has appointed Chief Commissioner José Santafé Arnedo as the new Deputy Director of Operations (DAO) of the National Police, the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the force. This change comes after the crisis triggered by the lawsuit alleging sexual assault, which led to the resignation of the previous head, José Ángel González, on February 17th. Santafé Arnedo previously served as the Chief Superintendent of the National Police in the Balearic Islands, a position he held since July 2022. With this appointment, the Ministry of the Interior places a veteran officer with extensive experience in the Police and recent service in the Balearic Islands at the head of the force's operational structure. The new Deputy Director of Operations joined the force in 1990 and has held various positions within the police organization throughout his career. In recent years, he had been the highest-ranking National Police officer in the archipelago. Following the resignation of José Ángel González, the Deputy Directorate of Operations was temporarily headed by Chief Commissioner Gemma Barroso, Deputy Director General of Human Resources and Training for the National Police. Barroso was also the one who was informed of the complaint filed by a female inspector and who subsequently contacted the complainant to activate police protection measures. With the appointment of Santafé Arnedo, the Ministry of the Interior has provisionally resolved the crisis at the top of the National Police's operational leadership.