The new governance of public security in Spain

Abstract

In the last few years, Spanish police has been transformed as a result of the deep economic, social and political changes in the environment. It is controversial whether these changes are part of a process of redefinition of its role in the governance of security. This article explores the extent of this redefinition by analyzing the social and institutional relations of the police force. The methodology is based on interviews to senior police officers. The results, although tentative, confirm a transformation process in the security governance. The engine of change is more social than institutional in its origin. The central protagonist is an empowered, demanding, organized, fragmented and participatory citizen who expresses new demands. Police responds with a closer proximity to citizenry, maintaining alliances with a large number of entities of all kinds, and increasing the use of new technologies.