The Police Magazine, issued in both Arabic and French, turned a spotlight, in its 49 edition, on the tourism police and their multiple roles inside the major Moroccan cities, known for attracting flocks of visitors.
The magazine, entitled “Tourism Security: Another Facet of National Police,” showed the unwavering commitment to ensure security and fight tourism-related threats. The national police (DGSN) have introduced the tourism police units that consist of officers with a good command of foreign languages. Established in 1998, they have recently expanded their presence to encompass all major tourist cities across the Kingdom.
The magazine touched on the Royal Speech delivered on the latest Throne Day, with a focus on the police role in ensuring the security and safety of tourists and guaranteeing a sustainable tourism, given the sector’s significant contribution to the country’s economy and reputation.
The magazine revealed that these units were established through a collaborative effort between the Interior Ministry, the Justice Ministry, and the Tourism Ministry in 1995. Starting with nine units in 1998, the police force evolved into a central department in 2010, and by 2023, there were 15 tourism police units deployed in major Moroccan tourism cities.
The magazine included an interview with head of the Tourism Police in Marrakech (stationed in Jemaa el-Fna Square) Mohamed El Ghazouani who highlighted the availability of all needed resources, including a versatile fleet of Security vehicles, such as motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, and light vehicles.
The magazine also featured an interview with Sadik El Guilali, head of Rabat tourism police, who surveyed the daily tasks of his officers, notably securing main roads and ensuring the security of visitors.
The magazine recalled that the tourism units were the first to be deployed after the recent earthquake as such patrols were important to reinforce a sense of safety among citizens, besides other civic and community-based roles.