The General Police Corps (, CGP) was a law enforcement force of Spain established by the Francoist regime in 1941 to conduct criminal investigation and enforce political repression. They should not be confused with the Armed Police Corps, which was responsible for the maintenance of public order.
History Following the overthrow of the Second Spanish Republic in April 1939, the Francoist Spain initially relied on the Army in order to handle public order issues. Mariano Aguilar (1999); El ejército español durante el franquismo, p. 58 By means of two sets of laws issued on 3 August 1939 and 8 March 1941 the Spanish State reorganized the police forces of Spain (namely the and the Guardia de Asalto) and officially the General Police Corps was created. Mariano Aguilar (1999); El ejército español durante el franquismo, p. 62 The selection of the cadres was made between the former members of the police who had passed the purge, and also through a new selection of candidates that was made at the end of the war. Mariano Aguilar (1999); El ejército español durante el franquismo, p. 63 The profile of accepted candidates ranged from Spanish Civil War veterans of the Nationalist faction, militants of the Movimiento Nacional or former Guardia de Asalto members.
A section dedicated to the work of secret police, the Political-Social Brigade was also created. The Minister of Governance Blas Pérez González was the main organizer of the Political-Social Brigade in its origins. Ramón Tamames (1974); Historia de España Alfaguara VII. La República. La Era de Franco, p. 501 The commissioner became the head of the Political-Social Brigade, being known among the opponents for his brutal methods of interrogation and torture. The policeman Antonio González Pacheco (alias "Billy the Kid") become the right hand of Conesa.
In 1968, the workforce of the CGP consisted of 8,200 members, including inspectors, police officers and officials. Ramón Tamames (1974); Historia de España Alfaguara VII. La República. La Era de Franco. p. 371 In 1974, a "female group" was created, composed of 70 personnel from the administrative and auxiliary bodies, who would be responsible for various functions, such as information, surveillance of persons or searches of women. Julio de Antón (2000); Historia de la policía española, p. 63
During its existence the CGP conducted the investigation of some crimes that had great social echo, as was the case of the murders committed by José María Jarabo, Jarabo, los crímenes de un caballero español, on ElPais.com or the crimes of the poisoner of Valencia, Pilar Prades. Garrote vil para la envenenadora, on ElPais.com The CGP also highlighted the case of the anarchist Salvador Puig Antich, who was blamed for the murder of a police inspector and who ended up being executed by the garrote. Puig Antich, caso reabierto, on ElPais.com
During the Spanish transition to democracy, on 4 December 1978, the CGP was reorganized and succeeded by the new Superior Police Corps (CSP) through Law 1978/55. C. Pomares Ramón, J. Vadillo García (2012); La policía local como policía judicial, p. 169 In 1986 the CSP was later on integrated into the current National Police Corps (CNP).
Organic structure and functions Organically the CGP depended on the Ministry of Governance, although directly it did it through the Directorate-General of Security. Officially, the CGP was in charge of the investigation of crimes, common offenses and conducting political repression. Within its internal organization it had two separate sections:
Political-Social Brigade, in charge of repression against opposition movements. Criminal Investigation Brigade, in charge of investigation of crimes and common offenses.
Regarding questions of public order, police interventions and charges, these were under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Armed Police Corps.
Rank insignia Although the CGP was a civilian institution, its members could wear uniforms with the rank of their category for official events.
CategoriesCommand Ranks SpainPrincipal CommissionerCommissioner General1st rank Commissioner2nd rank Commissioner3rd rank Commissioner/ Chief Inspector CategoriesExecutive RanksBasic Ranks Spain1st rank Inspector2nd rank Inspector3rd rank InspectorSubinspector/ 1st rank AgentSubinspector/ 2nd rank AgentSubinspector/ 3rd rank Agent CategoriesBasic Ranks (as of 1972) SpainSubinspector/ 1st rank AgentSubinspector/ 2nd rank AgentSubinspector/ 3rd rank Agent
Emblems
See also Armed Police Corps White Terror (Spain)
References