A municipal policeman in Madrid decorates his anti-riot unit locker with Nazi symbolism: "Hitler fans"

A municipal police officer in Madrid has been accused of displaying Nazi symbolism in his locker within the city's anti-riot unit, according to reports. The incident came to light after photos of the decorated locker were shared in a group chat among officers, sparking internal investigations and renewed scrutiny over the unit’s conduct. The images included stickers with slogans such as "Hitler fans," "Fascism is joy," and "Fascist zone, watch out." The locker belongs to an officer from the Unidad Central de Seguridad (UCS-2), a specialized unit based at the Casa de Campo. The photos were posted online on June 8, shortly after a discussion in the group chat about the alleged infiltration of fascism into the ranks of the local police force. According to sources, the stickers were removed soon after their discovery. The controversy follows ongoing concerns about the political leanings of the UCS-2 unit, which was previously criticized during the tenure of former Mayor Manuela Carmena. At that time, the unit was disbanded under the argument that its duties overlapped with those of the National Police and that it fostered a culture of privilege. Officers who left the unit lost certain salary supplements tied to their roles. This decision led to protests against the deputy head of the security department, Javier Barbero, during a meeting of the Commission of Security. Approximately 300 officers gathered outside the meeting, shouting insults at Barbero, including terms like "red piece of shit," "fat," "windbag," and "dictator, you're a piece of trash." They also attacked Barbero’s official car and physically assaulted a journalist present at the scene. Barbero described the protest as having "fascist" undertones, prompting a legal complaint from the majority union, the Colectivo Profesional de la Policía Municipal (CPPM). However, the case was eventually dismissed without further consequences. Under the current administration, headed by Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the UCS-2 unit has been restructured and expanded with an additional hundred officers. The unit has been involved in high-profile operations, including evictions at occupied social centers such as La Ingobernable, La Dragona, and La Quimera. Officers in the unit have recently pushed for the provision of long guns and expanding ammunition to better handle perceived threats from "terrorist groups" and "violent gangs" identified by their black uniforms and dark blue berets. The recent incident involving the Nazi-themed locker has triggered an internal investigation by the city council. Officials confirmed the opening of an "informational file" regarding the matter, though they emphasized that the process of taking statements and conducting the investigation remain confidential. A spokesperson for the city government stated that if disciplinary violations are found, an "disciplinary file" would be opened, leading to appropriate sanctions. However, no details have been disclosed about whether the officer responsible for the decorations, the one who took the photos, or both are being investigated. This is not the first time the UCS-2 unit has drawn attention for controversial behavior. In 2017, elDiario.es published an exclusive report revealing messages exchanged in a group chat among dozens of municipal police officers from the central district. These messages contained derogatory comments directed toward Carmena, including wishes for her slow and agonizing death. The revelations sparked public debate about the potential presence of extremist views within the ranks of the municipal police. Sources indicate that both the officer whose locker was decorated and the individual who photographed and shared the images have already given statements to internal affairs. Despite these developments, the city government has remained tight-lipped about the nature of the investigation, citing confidentiality reasons. The situation highlights ongoing tensions within the municipal police force, particularly around issues of discipline, ideology, and the evolving role of the UCS-2 unit in Madrid’s policing strategy.