Moroccan media outlets have reported that three police officers have been referred to the public prosecutor’s office at the Primary Court in the city of Salé, west of Morocco, under suspicion of disclosing professional secrets and engaging in bribery. Moroccan media, citing security sources, detailed that “on Friday, the National Brigade of the Judicial Police referred a suspended security guard commander, a police chief, and a security officer to the public prosecutor at the Primary Court in Salé, on suspicion of their involvement in a case related to the disclosure of professional secrets and participation in bribery.”
The investigation into this case revealed “the suspected involvement of the suspended security guard commander in mediating the issuance of administrative documents and certificates for others in their absence, in exchange for financial benefits, through collusion with the active police officers at the data registration center in the city of Tangier.”
Research and inquiries also indicated that “the suspended police officers misused the databases at their disposal, to conduct background checks on individuals outside the administrative guidelines.”
Furthermore, “two of the suspended police officers have been placed under provisional custody, while the third officer has been subjected to preliminary investigation procedures to determine the extent and degree of their involvement in the committed criminal acts, before presenting them before the competent public prosecutor.”
Corruption within the Moroccan police force has been a significant issue, reflecting broader challenges in governance and law enforcement in the country. The sector is known for corruption and impunity, with reports indicating a widespread problem that affects police effectiveness and the rule of law. A striking statistic from 2015 revealed that almost four in ten households reported having paid a bribe to the police. Investigations into police misconduct are carried out, yet they rarely lead to criminal proceedings or disciplinary actions, and complaints are often dismissed, relying solely on the police’s version of events.
In addition to the internal challenges within the police force, corruption is a growing concern across various sectors in Morocco. A report from 2009 highlighted that corruption had become more institutionalized under King Mohammed VI, with the royal family accused of using public institutions to coerce and solicit bribes. The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index gave Morocco a score of 38 out of 100, ranking it 97th out of 180 countries, indicating a significant perception of corruption within the country. Corruption is especially prevalent in public procurement, where contracts often go to well-connected companies, and efforts to prosecute high-level corruption are rare.
Efforts to combat these challenges have been made, such as equipping police officers with video cameras on their helmets to fight corruption and ensure human rights are respected. This initiative came in response to incidents caught on video, leading to public outcry and the implementation of measures intended to increase transparency and accountability within the police force. These cameras are not only aimed at curbing corruption but also at improving the police force’s image, which is often criticized for being corrupt. There has been an increase in investigations into police misconduct, reflecting a growing will to address corruption. However, despite these measures, experts warn that the battle against corruption is complex and requires a comprehensive strategy and an independent justice system.
