Sindicat de Mossos d'Esquadra

The Sindicat de Mossos d'Esquadra is a trade union that represents the members of the Mossos d'Esquadra, the autonomous police force of Catalonia, Spain. Its primary function is to negotiate collective bargaining agreements on behalf of its members, addressing wages, working conditions, and social benefits. The union also provides legal representation and advisory services to officers facing disciplinary or judicial proceedings. In addition, it engages in advocacy efforts aimed at influencing public safety policies and labor legislation within the region. Membership is limited to active and retired personnel of the Mossos d'Esquadra, making the organisation a sector‑specific body rather than a general labor union. Its activities are confined to the territorial scope of Catalonia, where it interacts with regional government agencies and police headquarters.

The Sindicat de Mossos d'Esquadra is distinguished by its focus on a single regional police force, which gives it a specialised role in the Spanish public‑security landscape. Unlike broader unions, it concentrates on the unique operational and regulatory context of the Mossos d'Esquadra, including its dual dependence on the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Spanish state. The union’s internal structure includes elected representatives who coordinate with local precincts and central command to convey member concerns. A notable event in the union’s recent history occurred on 20 May 2016, when the hacker known as Phineas Fisher breached its website, defaced the online presence, compromised the web server, hijacked its Twitter account, and leaked personal data such as badge numbers of officers. The attacker also published a tutorial of the exploit, citing motivations linked to social justice and criticism of perceived misconduct by law enforcement. The union’s headquarters are located in Spain, reflecting its national jurisdictional anchoring despite its regional membership base.