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Torrevieja’s Local Police Commissioner, Vicente Gutiérrez, has filed an appeal against the appointment of Alejandro Morer as the General Director of the Local police force.
Gutiérrez argues that Morer’s direct appointment, made by Mayor Eduardo Dolón (PP) without a formal selection process or a public call, is illegal.
Until January 31, Morer served as Deputy Chief of Police, but his new role elevates him above the commissioner, acting as a liaison between political and professional leadership.
The appeal claims that Morer’s appointment was approved without an open competition, violating legal hiring principles, and was only announced through the media after the governing board’s approval.
Gutiérrez specifically challenges Article 34 of the new municipal organic regulation, which allows a civil servant from subgroup A2—as Morer is—to exceptionally take on a position typically reserved for A1 officials if they demonstrate competence and experience.
Gutiérrez argues that this violates the principle of normative hierarchy, as national law only permits A1 civil servants or non-civil servants to hold such positions. By including A2 civil servants, Torrevieja’s regulations contradict higher-ranking legislation, leading to what Gutiérrez calls a fraud of law.
He claims the rule was designed specifically to justify Morer’s direct appointment and constitutes an abuse of power.
The appeal also questions the lack of transparency, stating that the appointment process violated constitutional principles of equality, merit, and ability by proceeding without public notice or competition. The Torrevieja municipal government, however, argues that the role was newly created and unoccupied, justifying the direct appointment.
Councillor for Security Federico Alarcón confirmed the appeal but dismissed its validity, stating that the same legal team that approved the appointment will likely reject the challenge.
He also revealed that Gutiérrez was twice offered the position before it was given to Morer. The government further argues that Gutiérrez did not challenge the regulation when it was first published in September 2024.
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