Junts per Ripoll has filed a formal request for Mayor Sílvia Orriols to hand responsibility for Citizen Security and oversight of the Local Police to another councillor while her daughter is employed by the force as an interim officer.
The request puts the management of Ripoll's municipal police under political scrutiny after the council hired one of Orriols' daughters for an interim post. For residents, the dispute concerns who holds political responsibility for a service facing staffing shortages.
“The issue is not the mayor's daughter. The issue is what a mayor must do when a close relative starts working in a service that she herself directs politically.”
According to ACN's report, the Junts group submitted its request to Ripoll City Council, seeking delegation of the Citizen Security portfolio and the direction of the Local Police.
Mayor says she did not take part in selection process
Orriols, who is also leader of Aliança Catalana, told a council meeting that she had abstained from all matters affecting the recruitment process. She said the vacancy had been advertised urgently to maintain the service because of structural understaffing among officers.
“Just as I cannot benefit her with my position, I cannot prevent her from fulfilling her dream either.”
She said her daughter obtained the highest score in the process. Orriols also said the urgent recruitment was intended to cover holiday periods and existing staffing needs within the Local Police.
Ferran Raigon, Junts per Ripoll's spokesperson, has called for institutional exemplary conduct. Sources from ERC said the procedure was likely legal but described it as unethical.
Reported by Source Text Link, ACN, Xavi Tedó, Iñaki Pardo Torregrosa, Vicenç Pagès, Pol Pareja, Daniel Tercero, Camilo S. Baquero, Marta Rodríguez, lavanguardia.com, El Periódico, elDiario.es Catalunya, Camilo S. Baquero, Àngels Piñol, Marina Fernández.
