Police buffs had a special rendezvous during the open house of the National Police (DGSN) and Territorial Surveillance (DGST), which commenced on Friday and ended on Tuesday, at the Parc des Expositions in Agadir, commemorating their 68th anniversary.
Following the security institutions’ policy to “Bring the Police Closer to the Citizens,” this five-day extravaganza is dedicated entirely to security force enthusiasts, who are invited firsthand to discover the everyday tasks of Morocco’s security institutions and to explore the arsenal of technologies utilized by DGSN and DGST to secure order and maintain public safety.
Adopting the motto “Police at the Service of Citizens,” this year’s open house reaffirms the commitment of Morocco’s primary security bodies to deepen their connection with the people as part of a wider strategy to develop and strengthen the relationships between law enforcement personnel and the communities they serve, following the success of previous openings houses, which last year reached an all-time attendance high of some 1.15 million.
During this open house event, attendees can enjoy various professional demonstrations, including performances by the K-9 (canine) brigade, equestrian displays, close protection units, highway and motorcyclist units, special forces show, and the police symphony orchestra.
The event also features scientific conferences and workshops tailored to university professors and students, providing valuable insights and real-time information for potential future research endeavors. A special recreational area is dedicated to attracting younger visitors.
Visitors, including tourists, will have the unique opportunity to explore various police kiosks first-hand. These kiosks cover a wide range of topics, such as the Martyrs’ Stand, Intervention Brigades, Technology and Digitization (including AI and cybersecurity), Forensics, Border Guards, Recruitment and Careers, Support for Women and Youth Victims of Violence, and Human Rights, among other interactive exhibits.
We at BarlamanToday are thrilled to have been a part of this inauguration, which provided an excellent opportunity to engage our readers with firsthand coverage and share insights into its activities and objectives.
Speaking to us, Communication Manager Mohammed Laouina, stated, “Like in all past editions, the DGSN contributes to the humanitarian dimension by allocating a special corridor for blood donation within the partnership framework between the DGSN and the National Center for Blood Transfusion.”
The DGSN also designed an application for the public known as the JPO Police (available on Play Store), through which the navigator may tour most of the facilities and view all of the various segments held daily throughout the demonstration, according to Laouina.
This year, a special exhibition has been curated to honor the efforts of police officers and staff in responding to the earthquake that struck the Kingdom on September 8, 2023.
Aware of the humanitarian dimensions of its open house and committed to integrating these values, the DGSN held a field visit benefiting no fewer than 19 child victims of the Al Haouz earthquake, originating from the Taroudant province.
Continuing with the earthquake-related activities in a symposium entitled, “The Experience of Public Forces in Managing the Al Haouz Earthquake,” the participants highlighted the extensive efforts of the Kingdom’s security, administrative, and social services in response to the disaster.
The speakers underscored the prompt and decisive actions of the DGSN, the Ministry of the Interior, the Royal Armed Forces, and the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity in emphasizing the positive impact of these efforts in mitigating the disaster’s effects on the affected regions’ inhabitants.
The exhibition was a resounding success, showcasing the police force’s integration of modern technology. This reflects the broader advancements seen across the country, making a real difference in the fight against crime. Numerous exhibits showcased the latest tools utilized to enhance public safety and national security across all police units and services.
From advanced surveillance systems to cutting-edge forensic technologies, these innovations showcased the police force’s unwavering commitment to staying one step ahead in the technological landscape for the benefit of individuals and the nation as a whole.
Buttressed by advancements in technology, the rate of solving crimes–known as the repression rate–continued its upward progression in 2023. For the seventh consecutive year, this rate reached record levels, standing at 95% of total recorded cases and approximately 92% of violent crimes.
Head of the Nuclear, Radiological, Biological, and Chemical Detection Stand, Rachid El Belghiti Alaoui, explained that his department includes cutting edge technology and the most innovative resources to combat massive, multi-tiered crime waves threatening the Kingdom–including terrorism–by detecting and identifying the nature of and items used in these illicit activities, as well as through the identification of potential victims and suspects.
He added that this section works effectively–by virtue of a unique scientific protocol–in the identification of victims of disasters, as evidenced in the recent earthquake.
He went on to say that the 2024 Expo serves to highlight the mission and work of the scientific police. This has been achieved through the establishment of a multitude of related exhibits, including demonstrations and explanations of CSI (crime scene investigation), identity verification, and DNA analysis, among other realms.
Continuing with the focus on technology and technological advancement, and in an attempt to apply the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in police services, the DGSN has provided Forensic Services with an AI information system to assist them with their daily tasks. “This initiative aims to facilitate the resolution of crimes through the use of developed facial recognition systems,” according to Younes Kerbid, the Chief of Technological Vigilance and Methodology at DGSN.
He also discussed the objective of the AI stand, which showcases some of the latest technological programs embedded with this technology that the national police directorate is seeking to implement in its information system.
“A new program for reading license plates is currently being used in Casablanca, Agadir, and Tangier. This AI program has successfully identified several stolen cars and wanted suspects,” he revealed. “Our professional team is currently developing an updated version of the program that will enable the identification of falsified license plates.”
In 2023, the DGSN reported a significant decrease in automobile theft in its annual activities draft, amounting to an impressive 19%.
The public access fair unveiled the “Ghiath Smart Patrol,” a cutting-edge vehicle equipped with facial recognition technology, 10 forward-facing cameras for facial and license plate recognition, and a retractable telescopic camera for 360-degree views. Integrated with a 40-centimeter dashboard screen and powered by AI, it also includes a drone with thermal camera support for enhanced surveillance. The vehicle is scheduled for deployment in partnership with Dubai Police, where it will undergo a pilot program to evaluate its effectiveness.
As to be expected with the continuous progression of technology and digital-related subjects–according to DGSN’s 2023 assessment–the percentage of cybercrimes increased by 6%, to 5,969 cases. Of these, 4,070 cases involved extortion, while sextortion cases in particular rose by 18% to 508. This resulted in the arrest of 182 individuals and impacted 515 victims, including 109 foreign nationals.
As such, significant efforts are being deployed to halt the expansion of cybercrimes within the Kingdom.
The Chief of the Digital Forensics and Imaging Department at DGSN and Chief of the Cybercrimes stand, Laila Zouin, presented at her department’s stand at the Open House the specific mission of the exhibit, which is to provide explanations about digital crime in all its variations and manifestations, as well as adopted criminal methodology and strategies to minimize and prevent it.
“The booth offers a series of awareness workshops, a collection of flyers in Arabic and French, along with a quiz for children and another for adults to test their cognitive ability in digital protection,” Zouin explained.
She also introduced the new platform “E-Blagh,” (Report) developed by experts from DGSN and DGST. The platform aims to combat cybercrime by enabling internet users to report illegal content, such as online fraud, child exploitation, sextortion, terrorism, and incitement to violence, 24/7.
In addition, DGSN has set up a stand dedicated to combating violence against women–highlighting the use of robotics–which holds an important function in conjunction with that of human intervention.
Asmae Jarri, a police officer in Agadir who oversees a unit dedicated to assisting women who have experienced violence, shared her thoughts on the objectives of the unit she leads. “These units exist in all police headquarters and are managed under statute 103.13,” she confirmed.
The unit’s missions encompass a range of services, including reception, assistance, orientation, and accompaniment, as well as training empathetic staff to act as sounding boards for women who undergo these ordeals.
Female victims of violence, particularly those who have experienced sexual violence or rape, have access to free hospitalization throughout the entire process, including certificates, medical tests, medicines, and other benefits.
Through a partnership with the social media company Meta, the DGSN has introduced a platform known as “Tifli Moukhtafi” (My Child is Lost), which leverages the extensive communication capabilities of Facebook and Instagram to aid security services in locating missing children.
This event has also managed to impress foreign tourists by showcasing Morocco’s primary security establishments. Tassa, a visitor from the United States on her second trip to the Kingdom, enthusiastically praised the event. “I love this event; I enjoyed it, and my favorite part is the kidnapping agency… I also liked the unit that searches for the lost children and the crime scene.” “I love Morocco, and the food here is great,” she concluded.
Tassa was accompanied by her brother Roman, who expressed his impressions of the event and his aspiration to become a policeman.
Among the tourists were American officers participating in the “African Lion” military exercise–organized in Morocco–and large groups of Senegalese students living in Agadir.
The Open House also featured a notable presence of students from a Quranic school in Taroudant. Approximately 250 young girls participated, bringing a significant spiritual dimension to the event. Their presence added a layer of religious fervor and spirituality, enriching the overall atmosphere of the gathering.
The event continues to record massive crowds of the public, especially students from public and private educational institutions, and various segments of society. Several media outlets are also present to cover the largest security event in Morocco.
The first two days saw 750,000 attendees, and the third day had 700,000 in attendance. On Monday, the cumulative total of visitors soared to 1,800,000.
This grassroots initiative commenced in 2017 in Casablanca and has since evolved into an annual event, offering the general public an opportunity to explore the multifaceted nature of police work and engage directly with police officers.