El Puerto police officer honored for graffiti investigation expertise

Juan Carlos Mesa Delicado, a local police officer from El Puerto de Santa María, has received a distinction from the Cádiz Local Police for his specialized work in identifying vandals responsible for graffiti on monuments and public spaces.

Mesa Delicado’s expertise in analyzing signatures, strokes, and patterns has provided significant support to various law enforcement bodies. His recent collaboration with the Gadir Group of the Cádiz Local Police involved an investigation into widespread vandalism in areas such as Puerta de Tierra and the historic district. This joint effort led to the identification of nine suspected authors in February 2026.

The investigation also uncovered graffiti on a site designated as a Cultural Interest Asset, resulting in a criminal complaint for a suspected crime against Historical Heritage. Mesa Delicado holds a degree in Criminology and a specialized university micro-credential in vandalic graffiti.