Lehendakari Imanol Pradales has stated unequivocally that a society that "does not protect those who protect it" is "condemned to failure." Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the 5th promotion of the Euskal Polizia at the Arkaute Academy, he called for "acting with force" and "standing firm" against actions that foster indiscriminate hatred, as well as rejecting discourse that labels all police officers as "violent individuals or enemies of the people."

Also in attendance were the Minister of Security, Bingen Zupiria; the president of Eudel, Esther Apraiz; the director of the Basque Police and Emergency Services Academy, Jon Goikolea, and a delegation from the Basque Parliament. A total of 364 individuals received their diplomas during the event held in the Academy's central courtyard, accompanied by family, friends, and various institutional, police, and union representatives.

Pradales recalled the words of Robert Peel, considered the 'Father of modern policing,' who stated that "the police are the public and the public are the police." In this regard, he conveyed that police and society are traveling "on the same two-way street," sharing "a mutual and shared responsibility." The Basque society, he added, has delegated tasks and functions to the officers that involve "danger, commitment, service, and control of conflict situations."

He indicated that the Ertzaintza and local police have "unavoidable" functions and duties within Basque society, which in turn has "unavoidable duties" towards municipal police officers and ertzainas. He urged the new officers that upon leaving Arkaute, their primary mission will be to serve Basque society and ensure the safety of people and property.

To this end, Basque society has equipped them with an "important tool": the "legitimacy to use force." This power, he noted, demands "great responsibility and ethical rigor," as it is "not enough" to simply follow orders; one must possess "judgment, self-control, and a sense of justice." "In other words, always keep the moral compass in hand. You are our first wall. In the most difficult situations, you are the agents who will step forward," he concluded.

This 5th joint promotion of basic-scale agents of the Euskal Polizia comprises 364 individuals: five for citizen protection within the Ertzaintza, 135 specializing in Criminal Investigation, 73 in Road Safety, and 151 local police positions for various Basque municipalities. The average age of the promotion is 30.4 years, with 35.5% women and 64.5% men. A total of 87.9% hold a B2 level or higher in Euskera.