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| Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie |
| Start date | 1957 |
| Country | Morocco |
| Allegiance | Monarchy of Morocco |
| Branch | Law enforcement in Morocco |
| Type | Gendarmerie |
| Role | Public security |
| Command structure | Ministry of Interior (Morocco) |
| Garrison | Rabat |
| Notable commanders | Mohammed VI |
Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie is the national rural and military police force of Morocco, established in the mid-20th century as part of post-independence security reforms. It operates alongside the General Directorate for National Security and reports to the Ministry of Interior (Morocco) and the Monarchy of Morocco for national law enforcement, border security, and public order duties. The force draws on traditions from French and Spanish colonial policing models and engages with regional actors such as Algeria and international partners including France, Spain, and the United Nations.
The formation of the force followed Morocco's independence from France and Spain in 1956, with formal establishment during the reign of Mohammed V and later institutional consolidation under Hassan II. Early developments were influenced by the legacy of the French Gendarmerie nationale and the Spanish Civil Guard, adapting to Moroccan territorial challenges like the Western Sahara conflict and border issues with Mauritania. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the institution was involved in responses to insurgencies and political crises related to events such as the Green March and tensions over the Western Sahara. Reforms in the 1990s and 2000s reflected pressures from international bodies such as the United Nations Security Council and bilateral partners including United States and European Union states, aligning operations with treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organizational structure mirrors gendarmerie models found in France and Spain, with territorial brigades, mobile units, and specialized divisions for judiciary policing. Command is centralized in Rabat beneath the Ministry of Interior (Morocco) and the royal cabinet of Mohammed VI. Regional commands correspond to Morocco's administrative regions such as Casablanca-Settat, Marrakesh-Safi, and Fès-Meknès, coordinating with municipal authorities including the Casablanca City Council and provincial governors. Specialized branches encompass units comparable to the National Mobile Gendarmerie and judicial police divisions akin to structures under the Courts of Morocco and prosecutor offices. Training academies collaborate with institutions like the Royal Armed Forces (Morocco) staff colleges and foreign academies such as the École des Officiers de la Gendarmerie Nationale.
Primary duties include rural policing, border control, maritime security near the Strait of Gibraltar and Atlantic coastline, traffic regulation on national highways such as the N1 road (Morocco), and criminal investigations supporting the judiciary of Morocco. The force undertakes counterterrorism operations alongside the DGST and coordinates with regional partners like Spain and Portugal on transnational crime. Public order responsibilities place them at events linked to institutions such as the Royal Palace of Casablanca and national ceremonies presided over by Mohammed VI. In addition, they administer civil protection tasks during natural disasters impacting regions like Agadir and Tangier.
Recruitment draws candidates from across Morocco and Moroccan diaspora communities in places like Paris and Madrid, with selection emphasizing physical fitness, legal knowledge of Moroccan codes, and loyalty to the Monarchy of Morocco. Training occurs at national schools and centers that engage international partner institutions including the French National Gendarmerie and the Spanish Guardia Civil. Curriculum covers criminal investigation techniques aligned with the Code of Criminal Procedure (Morocco), crowd control methodologies used in major events such as national elections, and peacekeeping preparation for deployments under United Nations mandates. Specialized programs address border policing and maritime operations in coordination with naval elements from the Royal Moroccan Navy.
Equipment inventory includes small arms and tactical gear similar to peers in Europe and North Africa, armored vehicles for riot control, and patrol boats for coastal enforcement near the Strait of Gibraltar. Fleet components operate alongside municipal fleets in Casablanca and highway patrol units on arterial routes like the A1 motorway (Morocco). Communications and surveillance systems integrate technologies acquired through cooperation with suppliers from France, United States, and Israel, while forensic laboratories liaise with judicial institutions including prosecutorial offices in Rabat and regional courts.
The force participates in bilateral and multilateral programs with partners such as France, Spain, the United States, and the European Union on counterterrorism, border security, and capacity building. It has contributed personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations in regions like Central African Republic and collaborates with African Union initiatives involving countries such as Senegal and Mali. Training exchanges occur with gendarmerie-type services including the Carabinieri of Italy and the Gendarmerie Nationale of France, and judicial cooperation aligns with mechanisms under the International Criminal Police Organization.
The force has faced scrutiny from organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch over allegations of excessive force during demonstrations, treatment of detainees, and operations in contested areas like the Western Sahara. Domestic actors including Moroccan human rights NGOs and opposition parties have raised concerns echoed in reports to international bodies like the United Nations Human Rights Council. Reforms and oversight mechanisms involve engagement with the Ministry of Justice (Morocco) and advocacy groups, with international partners conditioning cooperation on adherence to treaties such as the Convention against Torture.
Category:Law enforcement in Morocco Category:Military units and formations of Morocco