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Ibiza’s Pacha nightclub under investigation over dancers dressed as cops

It was THE party of the season.

Published: 16 May 2018 13:09 CEST

Ibiza’s Pacha nightclub under investigation over dancers dressed as cops

Dancers dressed as Policia Local during the opening event on May 4th. Photo: Pacha / Facebook

When VIP guests were given a special escort to cross the road from the Pacha Hotel to the opening night at the island’s most famous nightclub, they probably didn’t give the officers a second glance.

It was only when the two men, dressed in the uniform of Local Police complete with epaulettes, truncheons and handcuffs, followed the crowd into the venue and climbed on the central podium that they grabbed attention.

When the ‘officers’ demanded “cut the music” it warranted whistles from the crowd, but the anger was short-lived as moments later the two cops started gyrating to the beat and it became clear that these were not ordinary policemen.

In fact, they were trained dancers and were there to kickstart the evening’s entertainment at the season's launch on May 4th.

But the harmless stunt has led to the club being investigated for the crime of “impersonating a police officer”, which, according to article 402 of the penal code, carries a custodial sentence of up to three years.

The Local Police have prepared a complaint and it is currently being investigated by the Prosecutor’s office, according to the Periódico de Ibiza.

The political party Movimiento Ciudadano EPIC Ibiza known as MC EPIC has demanded an official apology from the club which it accused of “making a shameful mockery of the police force”.

The Local spoke to a spokesman at Pacha who insisted the club had “no comment” to make at this time but confirmed the complaint was being dealt with by the legal team.

READ MORE: Could bottled Ibiza air be this summer's best souvenir?

Balearic Islands to use drones to stop illegal parties over Christmas

Pexels/Pixabay

Public Administrations Minister Isabel Castro announced the plan after a meeting with Government and City Council Representatives in Palma de Mallorca this week.

Four drones will be used in conjunction with the National Police, Guardia Civil and local police to prevent illegal parties and large family gatherings from taking place.

Authorities on the Balearic Islands will also be monitoring social media to put a stop to any Christmas parties with more people than are currently allowed.

“Obviously we can't supply a policeman for every person, we have to rely on individuals being responsible,” Minister Castro told the Mallorca Daily Bulletin. She also said that the authorities will have a zero-tolerance attitude to those who don’t stick to the rules.

Going to a family gathering with more than six will result in fines of between €100 and €3,000 euros, while arranging or attending an illegal party will result in fines of between €3,000- and €60,000.

Since July, when fines of up to €600,000 were approved for the breaching Covid rules, there have been 966 incidents in the Balearic Islands that have resulted in 725 acts of infringement.

Palma de Mallorca. Image: McRonny/Pixabay

Government delegate Aina Calvo said that people should avoid the temptation of risking a fine in order to throw a party. “What is at stake is how many of us have to die before normality returns to our lives,” she told the Mallorca Daily Bulletin.

In addition to drones and social media monitoring, the Balearics have introduced a system whereby customers of bars and restaurants must give their contact details through a QR code in order to be traceable, should a Covid infection have occurred at the establishment.

The information will remain under the protection of the health authorities for 30 days, before being removed.

Francina Armengol, leader of the Socialist Party of the Balearic Islands has also announced the launch of a new mobile app so that people on the islands can be traced in contacted should contagions take place in the premises of bars and restaurants. The measures will affect more than 5,500 hospitality establishments on the islands.

According to La Vanguardia, the Balearic Islands is also proposing that its hospitality establishments install CO2 metres and air purification systems to improve air quality, flow and to minimise the risk of infections. Not complying with these new measures may result in fines for the businesses, once they are approved.

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