DGSN: The Transformation Redefining Security

Long perceived as a primarily sovereign institution operating out of public view, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) has, for several years, entered a new phase in its history: that of visible transformation.

Through technological modernisation, a community-oriented strategy, next-generation infrastructure, and an open approach to communicating with citizens, the Moroccan police are gradually building a more transparent, more digital image, increasingly focused on the user experience.

This transformation has just reached a major symbolic milestone with the inauguration of its new central headquarters in Rabat—an ambitious project that supports a broader vision: that of a police force conceived as a modern, efficient, and integrated administration.

This inauguration, organised on the occasion of the DGSN’s 70th anniversary, marks the culmination of a project launched in 2019. At first glance, it may appear to be just an administrative building. But in reality, the new headquarters tells a story that goes far beyond architecture.

Located in Rabat, in the Riad district, the complex is designed as a comprehensive ecosystem aimed at centralising several essential functions of the institution. Initiated under royal impetus in April 2019, the project represents an investment estimated at nearly 2 billion dirhams.

The project notably includes a National Security Museum retracing the institution’s history, an archive centre, an IT hub, sports facilities, a space dedicated to the production of identity documents, and a centre for reserve forces.

The DGSN appears to be following a trajectory tailored to its specific mission: improving coordination, accelerating the flow of information, and creating a more efficient environment for its teams. This inauguration is therefore not merely symbolic—it embodies a philosophy: using infrastructure as a strategic lever.

The era of transformation

It is difficult to discuss the DGSN’s recent evolution without mentioning the role of Abdellatif Hammouchi. Under his leadership, the institution has launched several modernisation projects that have gradually reshaped how it operates. In recent years, several key priorities have emerged, beginning with digitalisation.

Administrative procedures have significantly accelerated: modernisation of identity services, digitisation of processes, new investigative tools, and increased use of data-processing technologies.

Among the flagship initiatives is the “e-Fourrière” system, which allows citizens to instantly locate where their vehicles have been impounded simply by entering their licence plate number.

This innovation significantly reduces search times and simplifies procedures. The DGSN has also developed new digital services enabling certain administrative processes to be tracked remotely, particularly the processing of residence certificates, with the aim of enhancing transparency and reducing delays.

This digital transformation also extends to the interconnection of administrative documents. Citizens can now submit certain applications related to the electronic national identity card (CNIE) via dedicated platforms, with electronic data transmission and online payment of associated fees.

Beyond digitalisation, investment in territorial infrastructure represents another major focus. New police stations, specialised centres, and technical equipment have progressively strengthened the operational capabilities of the Moroccan police.

Human resources are also a strategic priority. The DGSN has expanded specialised training programmes to strengthen the technical, scientific, and digital skills of its officers.

Finally, international cooperation has become an important driver of development. Morocco has gradually established itself as a recognised actor in several regional and international security matters.

Security today is no longer played out solely on the ground, but also in databases, international networks, and the capacity for anticipation.

An institution that shows itself

Perhaps the most visible change lies elsewhere. For a long time, security institutions communicated little—they acted more than they spoke.

The DGSN has gradually taken a different direction. This openness is best illustrated by its Open Days.

The idea may seem simple: allowing citizens to enter the world of policing. But behind this initiative lies a genuine institutional communication strategy.

Launched for the first time in Casablanca in 2017, the event has become an annual fixture. Over the years, host cities have included Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Fez, Agadir, El Jadida, and most recently Rabat.

The 2026 edition, held in the capital, marks the 7th edition of this now key event. One of the most notable spaces is the “Technology Hub,” a showcase of innovations recently integrated by the DGSN.

This year, the intelligent patrol vehicles “Amane” and “Madar,” equipped with artificial intelligence to support field patrols, generated significant interest among visitors.

These innovations reflect a deeper shift: the gradual integration of automation, predictive analysis, and artificial intelligence into surveillance and operational response mechanisms.

The event now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors eager to discover the behind-the-scenes of a typically inaccessible world. Programmes also include demonstrations by specialised units, technological presentations, interactive spaces, forensic science exhibitions, and direct exchanges with officers.

The objective is clear: bringing the institution closer to citizens. What was once an occasional communication effort now appears embedded in the very DNA of the organisation. The most significant change may not be technological, but cultural.

Major public administrations worldwide now work on their image using codes once reserved for corporations: visual identity, communication strategies, citizen experience, transparency, and proximity.

The DGSN seems to be gradually following this path. Its new headquarters serves as an architectural symbol, its Open Days as a public showcase, its digital platforms as enhancers of user experience, and its investments reflect a long-term strategy.

Nine years of innovation

Year after year, the DGSN Open Days have become much more than a simple exercise in institutional communication.

Since their launch in 2017, they have served as a stage revealing the transformation of a Moroccan police force in transition—between citizen engagement, technological innovation, and modernisation of security tools.

In Casablanca, during the first edition, the tone was set: a police force more oriented towards citizens, more accessible, and more transparent. The event highlighted community policing, service reorganisation, and a new openness-driven approach.

Two years later, in Tangier, the focus shifted to operational capabilities. Specialised units, forensic police, intervention demonstrations, and modernised equipment illustrated technological progress and increased professionalisation.

In 2023, in Fez, the DGSN reached a new stage with the acceleration of its digital transformation. Digitised administrative services, the development of digital identity, and secure identification solutions reflected an institution progressively integrating digital tools into its operations.

Then, in Agadir, innovation took on a futuristic dimension with the presentation of the “Ghiath Smart Patrol,” a new generation of intelligent patrol vehicles equipped with integrated drones and facial recognition cameras—further illustrating the evolution of a police force now relying on advanced technologies to reinvent its missions and its relationship with security.