Catalonia's plainclothes police in schools pilot paralysed after teacher opposition and infiltration scandal
Consellera d'Interior Núria Parlon said the plan to place unarmed Mossos agents in secondary schools is on hold, blaming 'inopportune' timing during education strikes and acknowledging an internal probe over agents posing as teachers at a union meeting.
A contested pilot
The Generalitat had activated a pilot to introduce plainclothes Mossos d'Esquadra agents in 14 secondary schools, a measure that drew swift opposition from teachers, families and students. Consellera d'Interior Núria Parlon now says the initiative is in 'vía de parálisis', arguing it 'afloró en un momento totalmente inoportuno'. The plan, announced around Sant Jordi amid a wave of education strikes, sought to reinforce coexistence and safety, not to carry out surveillance, with agents working unarmed, without a fixed office and only in accord with school directors' needs.
Growing resistance
At least four of the 14 centres initially selected withdrew after their teaching staff voted against the plan. Unions rejected the project outright, advocating instead for more psychologists, social integrators and educators. The pilot launched on 28 April with protests outside several participating schools in L'Hospitalet, Vic, Tàrrega, El Prat de Llobregat and Sabadell.
Tenemos que ver si realmente lo vamos a reanudar en un futuro cuando ya se haya resuelto el conflicto, ver si tiene sentido hacerlo. Nosotros creemos que sí.
Infiltration of a teachers' assembly
Tensions deepened after two Mossos agents tried to enter a Ustec union assembly at the Pau Claris institute in Barcelona last month, posing as teachers. Parlon described the move as 'torpe y mal enfocada' and confirmed an internal investigation has been opened to organise information for a contentious-administrative procedure brought by education unions.
- Pilot plan is announced on Sant Jordi, amid a wave of education strikes.
- Pilot begins with 14 centres amid protests from the educational community.
- Consellera Núria Parlon says the plan is in 'parálisis' and its future depends on resolving sector conflicts.
Defending the idea, not the timing
Despite the freeze, Parlon defended the concept, insisting it did not originate in a bureaucratic office but from local police practice and municipal needs. She stressed that agents were never meant to patrol classrooms or conduct searches, only to help resolve conflicts when requested. The conselleria de Educació had insisted agents would carry no weapon, wear no uniform and have no physical workspace in the schools.
Context of rising school incidents
This academic year has seen more than 5,300 situations of potential violence in Catalan schools, including bullying, aggression and discrimination. The Generalitat had argued the pilot was a necessary step to support safety and wellbeing. With the plan now paralysed and no timeline for revival, the educational community remains split between fears of securitisation and calls for more social-support staff.
