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| Public Security (Saudi Arabia) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Public Security |
| Native name | الأمن العام |
| Formed | 1953 |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Governing body | Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia) |
| Headquarters | Riyadh |
| Chief1 name | Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud |
| Chief1 position | Minister of Interior |
| Website | Official website |
Public Security (Saudi Arabia) is the national civil police force responsible for internal security, law enforcement, and public order across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It operates under the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia) alongside agencies such as the General Directorate of Investigations, the Border Guard (Saudi Arabia), and the General Directorate of Traffic. The force interacts with international partners including INTERPOL, the United Nations agencies, and bilateral counterparts in United States, United Kingdom, and France for training and cooperation.
Public Security traces its origins to modernization efforts in the reign of King Abdulaziz Al Saud and institutional reforms under King Saud and King Faisal. Early policing reforms paralleled the creation of the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia) and reforms following the Saudi–Japanese relations era of modernization. The directorate expanded during the 1970s oil boom under policies influenced by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and structural changes tied to the Gulf Cooperation Council security framework. Events such as the Grand Mosque seizure (1979) prompted reforms in command, coordination with the National Guard (Saudi Arabia), and adoption of counterterrorism doctrines similar to those used in responses to the Arab Spring regional security concerns. Modernization accelerated in the 2000s with programs influenced by partnerships with United States Department of Homeland Security, the Royal United Services Institute, and procurement relationships with General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and Saab AB.
Public Security is organized into regional commands aligned with provinces such as Riyadh Province, Makkah Province, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, Medina Province, and Asir Province. The chain of command links the directorate to the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia) and coordinates with the Presidency of State Security, the Royal Saudi Air Force, and the Saudi Arabian National Guard for joint operations. Specialized directorates include traffic policing coordinated with the General Directorate of Traffic, criminal investigations linked to the Bureau of Investigation structures, and counterterrorism units liaising with the General Directorate of Investigations and the Public Prosecution (Saudi Arabia). Administrative functions interact with institutions like the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the Communications and Information Technology Commission for digital systems.
Public Security enforces law and order in urban and rural areas, executing roles similar to municipal policing seen in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Responsibilities include crime prevention, traffic enforcement in coordination with the General Directorate of Traffic, crowd control at pilgrim sites such as Masjid al-Haram and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in coordination with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and protection of critical infrastructure including facilities operated by Saudi Aramco and ports such as Jeddah Islamic Port. The directorate undertakes immigration enforcement at points of entry like King Abdulaziz International Airport and works with the Passport Department (Saudi Arabia) and the Border Guard (Saudi Arabia)]. It also supports emergency response alongside the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and civil defense units of the General Directorate of Civil Defense.
Recruitment standards reflect practices influenced by training exchanges with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, the British Metropolitan Police Service, and police academies such as the King Fahd Security College. Personnel are drawn from Saudi nationals and receive instruction in legal procedures tied to the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia and penal statutes codified by the Shura Council (Saudi Arabia)]. Specialized courses include crowd management for Hajj operations, counterterrorism from models like the GSG 9 exchanges, and cybercrime investigation in cooperation with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority technical units. Career progression follows ranks similar to military-styled hierarchies found in the Royal Saudi Land Forces and includes professional development through institutions such as the King Abdulaziz University and the National Defense University (United States) where selected officers attend exchange programs.
Public Security uses patrol vehicles sourced from manufacturers including Toyota, Ford Motor Company, and armored vehicles from Plasan and Rheinmetall for high-risk deployments. Communications and surveillance systems integrate technologies from Hikvision, Thales Group, and domestic suppliers involved with the Saudi Vision 2030 industrialization initiatives. Facilities range from local police stations in municipalities like Taif and Abha to central command hubs in Riyadh with detention centers administered under standards referenced by the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia)]. For crowd and pilgrimage management, temporary staging areas and logistics are coordinated with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Saudi Railways Organization during major events.
Public Security operates within a legal framework shaped by royal decrees, regulations promulgated by the Council of Ministers (Saudi Arabia), and statutory instruments overseen by the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia)]. Oversight mechanisms include internal affairs directorates, inspection units reporting to the Shura Council (Saudi Arabia) committees, and coordination with the Public Prosecution (Saudi Arabia). Human rights discussions involve input from international bodies such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and nongovernmental actors engaging with the Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reports. Legislative contexts reference the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia, security-related royal orders, and implementation rules detailed by the Saudi Courts.
Public Security has been central to managing major events and incidents including crowd control during Hajj seasons in Mecca, responses to the Grand Mosque seizure (1979) legacy reforms, and counterterrorism operations during waves of regional threats related to the Arab Spring and ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). Joint operations with the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen contextually involved coordination with other security bodies during spillover concerns. High-profile incidents include coordinated policing during national celebrations such as Saudi National Day and security preparations for international events like visits by heads of state from United States and China. Investigations of organized crime and cyber operations have seen collaboration with INTERPOL and the Gulf Cooperation Council security mechanisms.