The Bilbao City Council celebrated the 182nd anniversary of its Municipal Police yesterday, November 8th, with an institutional ceremony featuring various awards. The event took place in the Salón Árabe and was attended by the Councilor for Security, Amaia Arregi, and other members of the municipal corporation.
Two medals for professional merit, one White and one Green, were presented, along with thirty diplomas recognizing meritorious actions by as many officers. Additionally, a Blue Medal was awarded to a citizen for an "exemplary act" last September on Avenida Sabino Arana, which significantly aided in locating and identifying a driver who fled after hitting a woman.
The White Medal for Police Merit was awarded to Iñaki Rioja Herrero, acknowledging his distinguished nearly four-decade career, particularly his contribution to community policing, fostering citizen participation, and strengthening trust in the Bilbao Municipal Police.
The Green Medal for Police Merit was granted to Imanol Arenaza Madartiaga for his "brave intervention" on December 2, 2025. The officer, off-duty and injured, assisted a victim of a violent assault and detained the aggressor.
Notable interventions also included those by Eder de la Nuez Fernández and Ander Mattin de la Peña Alday, who on November 21, 2025, used first aid and a defibrillator to help save a person's life. The actions of Oier Landaluze Prego and Julen Amor García were also recognized for saving a minor intending to jump from a fourth-floor window on June 7, 2026.
Further recognized were Iratxe Achaerandio Landa, Aitor Badillo Amorós, Julen Baños Martín, and Aritz Muñoz Aduna, who on February 1, 2026, used resuscitation techniques and a defibrillator to save a young person's life. David Vélez Tristán, Rubén Cantera Gallego, Ibai Hernández Moreta, and Gorka Paskal Sánchez Zueco prevented a person from jumping off the La Salve bridge on September 29, 2025, through "dialogue and emotional containment".
A special mention went to Ibai Polo Tomé, who, while off-duty on January 31, 2026, intervened to help identify and apprehend individuals involved in a serious assault. Additionally, fifteen officers were honored for their participation in an investigation concluded on January 14, 2026, which led to an arrest and the seizure of significant quantities of narcotics.
Finally, the work of Mikel Aranaz Arteche and Asier Gómez Gil over the past two years in the Ibaiondo Neighborhood Inspection was acknowledged, highlighting their increased responsibilities, leadership, management skills, and commitment to public safety.
