DGSN Open Days: Curtain falls on a record-breaking edition in El Jadida

The curtain came down on the sixth edition of the Open Days organized by Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), held this year in the city of El Jadida. Over five days, this citizen-focused event drew an impressive 2.4 million visitors, significantly surpassing last year’s turnout in Agadir.

Hosted at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Center, the event peaked over the weekend, attracting nearly 1.18 million visitors in just two days. More than 1,500 civil society organizations took part, and the live broadcasts on the DGSN’s digital platforms garnered over 29 million views.

For many security experts, this initiative marks a turning point in the relationship between Moroccan citizens and their police institution. Mohamed Essam Laâroussi, a researcher in strategic affairs, sees this move as part of a long-term communication strategy aimed at building lasting trust with the public. According to him, this edition represents a kind of “reconciliation” between the population and a security apparatus once seen as distant.

Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the various police units and to observe the significant development of the DGSN’s human and logistical capacities. The institution is now advocating a co-produced approach to security, emphasizing that stability is a shared social responsibility.

Researcher Mohamed Chakir added that hosting these open days in different cities – Casablanca, Fez, Agadir, and now El Jadida – strengthens this strategy of openness. In his view, the true achievement lies not only in numbers but in solidifying the concept of “community policing” that aligns with citizens’ expectations.

The increasing public enthusiasm, especially among young people, highlights a genuine societal desire to positively engage in building collective security. Through this initiative, the DGSN reaffirms that communication is now a vital component of modern policing, breaking away from past practices.