Andorra to recruit 15 police officers to curb tobacco smuggling; three prison trainees appointed

The government has approved the opening of a recruitment call for 15 new police posts to reinforce the fight against tobacco smuggling and bolster security at Pas de la Casa. Proposed by Minister of Justice and Interior Ester Molné, the new positions will increase available police personnel and make it possible to create a permanent unit assigned to the Encamp area to raise local surveillance and safety.

The 15 new places add to nine candidates already selected earlier this year, bringing the total number of planned new police officers to 24. For logistical reasons, the government intends to train all 24 together: the combined training is scheduled to begin between March and April 2026, will last nine months, and will be followed by a one-year probationary period. The current police corps comprises 268 officers.

Applications for the 15 posts can be submitted to the Police Human Resources Group at the Obac administrative building from 27 November until 9 January 2026 at 13:00. The call rules and the professional exam syllabus are available at www.policia.ad.

Separately, the Council of Ministers also appointed three new prison officers in a training period after they successfully passed the selection process. These three posts are newly created and their training starts on 15 December, lasting up to six months. The programme includes long- and short-range firearms practice, intervention and handcuffing techniques, first aid, fire prevention and extinction, and a review of the Prison Corps Law. After completing training, the officers will enter a one-year probationary period before potential permanent appointment.

The selection process had aimed to fill five prison officer vacancies, three of which are new; the government plans to tender the remaining two posts next year. With the three new trainees, the prison staff will rise from 63 to 66 officers. The authorities say this increase will improve service for inmates and staff availability; the current inmate-to-officer ratio is about 0.84, below the European average.