Algeria - The Cops

Police and security forces in Algeria consist of three organizations: (1) the national police (DGSN); (2) an agency of the ministry of the interior, Gendarmerie (MOD); and (3) the communal guards, similar to village or small-town police with limited training and equipment. There is an ongoing problem with the terrorists infiltrating the ranks of all three. In addition, the terrorists have obtained hundreds of police uniforms and badges and have masqueraded as police to carry out terrorist and criminal operations. Some of these operations have included assassinations of GOA officials by terrorists operating fake police checkpoints. Throughout the war, terrorists have targeted GOA officials, journalists, foreigners and randomly selected Algerian citizens. But the cops and security forces have borne a large proportion of the targeting and, as such, suffered numerous casualties. The large number of deaths within the police forces, coupled with the uncertainty about fellow officers' loyalties, have resulted in low morale in the police ranks.