Groupes urbains de sécurité
Encyclopedia
Groupes urbains de sécurité (GUS) (also known as "Croatia") (Urban Security Groups) is a defunct Moroccan
special police
unit which dealt with urban
matters basing on "rapid intervention approach".
body) on October 17, 2005. The initiative lies within the scope of a general reform
whose principle was "the Police force, near to you for your safety". As of October 2006, GUS comprised between 4,000 and 5,000 agents.
The GUS are considered first-aid workers and all members speak English
. They were attached to arrondissement
s. Because of its nature as an auxiliary police
, GUS, for example did not have the right to confiscate driver licences or to file official reports.
GUS were equipped with Peugeot Partner
vans and Honda motorcycles.
The body was disbanded exactly one year later; on October 16, 2006. Before its disbanding, GUS comprised 6 groups. The action came as a result of the reforms which started to be executed within the national police and army bodies.
The members of the GUS are to be redeployed to other police departments such as criminal investigation departments and judiciary police.
.
The disbanding came after many criticisms about excesses
or abuses of power
were noted. Some irresponsible actions of certain members of this police turned over the public opinion which became discreditory.
GUS were also accused of corruption
especially. In many cases, civil offenders used to pay a bribe (between 10 and 20 dirhams
. This led to the appearance of the popular nickname; "10 drahem".
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
special police
Special police
Special Police does not have a consistent international meaning. In many cases it will describe a police force or a unit within a police force whose duties and responsibilities are significantly different from other forces in the same country or significantly different from other police in the same...
unit which dealt with urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
matters basing on "rapid intervention approach".
Background
GUS was established by the Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale (DGSN) (the main national policePolice
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
body) on October 17, 2005. The initiative lies within the scope of a general reform
Reform
Reform means to put or change into an improved form or condition; to amend or improve by change of color or removal of faults or abuses, beneficial change, more specifically, reversion to a pure original state, to repair, restore or to correct....
whose principle was "the Police force, near to you for your safety". As of October 2006, GUS comprised between 4,000 and 5,000 agents.
The GUS are considered first-aid workers and all members speak English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. They were attached to arrondissement
Arrondissement
Arrondissement is any of various administrative divisions of France, certain other Francophone countries, and the Netherlands.-France:The 101 French departments are divided into 342 arrondissements, which may be translated into English as districts. The capital of an arrondissement is called a...
s. Because of its nature as an auxiliary police
Auxiliary police
Auxiliary police or special constables in England) are usually the part-time reserves of a regular police force. They may be armed or unarmed. They may be unpaid volunteers or paid members of the police service with which they are affiliated...
, GUS, for example did not have the right to confiscate driver licences or to file official reports.
GUS were equipped with Peugeot Partner
Peugeot Partner
The Peugeot Partner is a van and leisure activity vehicle made by the French car manufacturer Peugeot. The van is named Partner and the leisure activity vehicle Partner Combi. In Italy it is known as the Peugeot Ranch....
vans and Honda motorcycles.
The body was disbanded exactly one year later; on October 16, 2006. Before its disbanding, GUS comprised 6 groups. The action came as a result of the reforms which started to be executed within the national police and army bodies.
The members of the GUS are to be redeployed to other police departments such as criminal investigation departments and judiciary police.
Criticism and disbanding
While many Moroccans regarded the presence of GUS as a relief, many others considered it as a step back to the rule of the MakhzenMakhzen
Makhzen is the governing elite in Morocco and in pre-1957 Tunisia, centered around the king and consisting of royal notables, businessmen, wealthy landowners, tribal leaders, top-ranking military personnel, security service bosses, and other well-connected members of the...
.
The disbanding came after many criticisms about excesses
Police misconduct
Police misconduct refers to inappropriate actions taken by police officers in connection with their official duties. Police misconduct can lead to a miscarriage of justice and sometimes involves discrimination...
or abuses of power
Abuse of Power
Abuse of Power is a novel written by radio talk show host Michael Savage.- Plot :Jack Hatfield is a hardened former war correspondent who rose to national prominence for his insightful, provocative commentary...
were noted. Some irresponsible actions of certain members of this police turned over the public opinion which became discreditory.
GUS were also accused of corruption
Police corruption
Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct designed to obtain financial benefits, other personal gain, or career advancement for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest....
especially. In many cases, civil offenders used to pay a bribe (between 10 and 20 dirhams
Moroccan dirham
The dirham is the currency of Morocco. The plural form is pronounced darahim, although in French and English "dirhams" is commonly used. Its ISO 4217 code is "MAD". It is subdivided into 100 santimat . The dirham is issued by the Bank Al-Maghrib, the central bank of Morocco...
. This led to the appearance of the popular nickname; "10 drahem".
External links
- Détention arbitraire / Poursuites judiciaires / Mauvais traitements — FIDH.org
- Morocco disbands riot police unit — Richard Hamilton for BBC Online