The implementation of BESCAM raised some controversy over whether it was an independent Police force or framed within the existing local police in each municipality. In order to dispel doubts D. Alfredo Prada, deputy vice president of the Community of Madrid and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs said that "BESCAM is a security project, not involving assumption of more powers by the Community, which aims to put 5,500 more police officers on the street. We have signed agreements with the Ministry of Interior for 3,000 new National Police officers, and agreements with mayors for 2,500 new local police officers. The BESCAM is a project by which the Community of Madrid seeks budgetary and political involvement in public safety. But this does not mean a new police force, or a new policing model, or new powers for the Community. We want to find strategies open to external participation in the development of this project. And because security is so important for citizens, one should put aside party political interests and reach a consensus. "[2]
Stages of development
Phase 0 pilot - began in 2004 with 60 members in the operational base of Móstoles, a pioneer in the implementation of this project.
Phase 1 - In 2005 the first phase of the Public Safety of the Community of Madrid Project was begun, with 570 agents and 16 municipalities: El Escorial, Boadilla del Monte, Arganda, Colmenar Viejo, San Fernando de Henares, Rivas- Vaciamadrid, the Alamo, Parla, Coslada, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Alcobendas, Torrejón de Ardoz, Alcalá de Henares, Fuenlabrada, Getafe, Alcorcón and Leganes . Each of these councils was assigned a BESCAM group.
Phase 2 - Also in 2005, there were a total of 370 more agents, distributed among 15 municipalities: Algete, Aranjuez, Galapagar, Guadarrama, Mejorada del Campo, Pinto, Torrelodones, Tres Cantos, Valdemoro, Villanueva de la Cañada, Villaviciosa de Odon, Collado Villalba, Las Rozas de Madrid, Majadahonda and San Sebastian de los Reyes .
Phase 3 - Started on November 3, 2005, adding 2 new locations, Ciempozuelos and Navalcarnero, and 440 new police officers to reinforce 34 existing operational bases.
Phase 4 - In November 2006, new recruits entered the Police academy who would subsequently join the police units in San Martin de la Vega, Humanes de Madrid, El Escorial, Alpedrete, Meco, Villanueva del Pardillo, Moralzarzal, Velilla de San Antonio, Valdemorillo, Arroyomolinos, San Agustin de Guadalix, Brunete, Griñón, Soto del Real, Cercedilla, Robledo de Chavela and Valdemoro .
Phase 5 - Throughout 2007, the Public Security project was extended to 102 municipalities in the region. Thus, added to the fifty locations already included in this project, were 52 further municipalities, in which public security was provided by 500 local police officers. The Regional Government thus meets the Government's commitment to roll out the Regional Public Safety Project in all those towns in the region with local police forces (except the capital), thus providing the people of Madrid with 2,500 new police officers.
The agreement is in effect for the next 15 years until 2018, and will be renewed automatically for the same period.