Overview

• Only 380 of 3,609 applicants passed the theoretical and psychotechnical exams, leaving 270 of 650 Ertzaintza and local police positions vacant.
• Unions and officers have accused the Academy of Arkaute of improvised criteria changes, including an unannounced six-minute cut from key psychotechnical tests.
• Security Counsellor Bingen Zupiria attributed the high failure rate to candidates’ insufficient preparation but agreed with unions to call a second OPE in autumn.
• The remaining candidates must still clear physical, medical and personal interview stages to compete for the advertised posts.
• Ertzaintza ranks stand at 7,200–7,300 officers, well below the 8,000 target, raising concerns over coverage gaps in smaller municipalities.