| Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale المديرية العامة للأمن الوطني ⵜⴰⵎⵀⵍⴰ ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵜⴰⵢⵜ ⵏ ⵜⵏⴼⵔⵓⵜ ⵜⴰⵏⴰⵎⵓⵔⵜ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Common name | Sûreté Nationale |
| Motto | Arabic:الأمن الوطني... فخورون بخدمتكم French:Sûreté nationale... fiers de vous servir National Security... proud to serve you |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 16 May 1956[1] |
| Employees | 79830(2023) |
| Annual budget | 13 billiondirham(2022)[2] |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Morocco |
| Governing body | Moroccan Ministry of Internal Affairs |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Rabat |
| Police officers | 79,830(2023)[3] |
| Agency executives |
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TheGeneral Directorate for National Security (Arabic:االمديرية العامة للأمن الوطني,romanized: Aālmdyryh al-ʻĀmmah lil-amn al-Waṭanī;Standard Moroccan Tamazight:ⵜⴰⵎⵀⵍⴰ ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵜⴰⵢⵜ ⵏ ⵜⵏⴼⵔⵓⵜ ⵜⴰⵏⴰⵎⵓⵔⵜ,romanized: tamhla tamatayt n tnfrut tanamurt;French:Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale,DGSN) is the nationalpolice force of the Kingdom ofMorocco. The DGSN is tasked with upholding thelaw andpublic order. It was founded on 16 May 1956[1] by KingMohammed V. It works alongside theGendarmerie Royale and theForces Auxiliaires.
Before the 20th century, a regionalizedShurta (police) enforcedSharia law and ensured security across the country.[4] During theAlmohad caliphate, the caliph also took on the role ofṣāḥib al-shurṭa (head of police).[4][5]
There were regional and tribalMuhtasibs (equivalent to a police commissioner) who were appointed by thePasha.[6] The Muhtasib had the power to issue fines for minor offenses.[7] Criminals were tried in front of aQadi, the judge of a Sharia court. The Qadi issued judgements in criminal, civil and commercial cases.[6]
On July 20, 1901, Morocco formed its first national border patrol.[8][9] The patrol was in charge of ensuring the security of the border withFrench Algeria, under the control of a commissioner inOujda.[10][11]
In 1906, theAlgeciras Conference led to various police reforms in Morocco.[12] The reforms established a national police force that would fall under the Sultan's sovereign authority. The police force's recruitment would be overseen by theMakhzen and commanded byCaïds. Additionally, the police force would be stationed in the eight ports that were open to international trade.[13][14]
In 1912, the General Police Service was created after the installement of theFrench Protectorate in Morocco.[15] In 1913, a forensic identification unit was formed.[15][16] A general forensic identification service was formed in November 1931.[16]
On May 16, 1956, a year after Morocco gained independence, the DGSN was formed.[17] The Royal Institute of Police in Kenitra was inaugurated in 1978.[18] The Scientific and Technical Police Laboratory in Casablanca was created in 1991.[18]
On 8 September 2023,an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8Mw hit theMarrakesh-Safi region of Morocco.[19][20] DGSN along withDGST has announced it will contribute MAD 50 million to Special Fund for Managing Earthquake Effects.[21][22][23] They set up two mobile bakeries near Marrakech, to provide bread to those who were affected by the earthquake.[24]
In 2007, the Sûreté Nationale had approximately 46,000 personnel. A decade later, in 2017, the number of personnel had increased to 70,000.
As of 2004, the Sûreté Nationale operated the following specialist divisions:[25]
| Moroccan police | Functional titles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title Insignia |  |  |  |  |  |
| Rank | Senior Group Commande | Group Commande | Divisional Security Commander | Senior Security Commander | Security Commander |
| Title Insignia |  |  |  |  |  |
| Rank | Senior Security Officer | Security Officer | Chief Brigadier | Brigadier | Security Constable |
| Moroccan police | Functional titles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title Insignia |  |  |  |  |  |
| Rank | Director General of Police | Police Prefect | General Controller of Police | Divisional Police Commissioner | Senior Police Commissioner |
| Title Insignia |  |  |  |  |  |
| Rank | Police Commissioner | Senior Police Officer | Police Officer | Senior Police Inspector | Police Inspector |