Law enforcement in Algeria

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Authority and management of civil law and order in Algeria is shared by the Sûreté Nationale, or Directorate General for National Security (DGSN), the civilian police force, under the Ministry of Interior, and the Gendarmerie Nationale under the Ministry of National Defence.

Up until 1962, Algeria had remained under colonial ties to French rule. Due to these relations, French saw the conscription of Algerian soldiers into World War One. Algerian soldier conscription during World War One was approximately 173,000. Algerian soldiers joined French forces with the Triple Entente Alliance, battling across Europe. Resultant from France's battle with opposing Triple Alliance forces, 25,000 of the 173,000 Algerian soldiers died during conflict. Algeria continued to supply soldiers to France during World War Two, enforced by colonial ties. French conscription in both World War One and World War Two contributed to a growth in protest towards French presence in Algeria, with growing tensions leading to an eight year war between France and Algeria in a struggle for colonial. For eight years, from 1954 to 1962, Algerian military forces struggled against French colonists in a fight to gain independence. Initially founded in 1954, the Front de Liberation Nationale (FLN) acted as a rigid military force for Algeria, primarily using guerrilla warfare tactics, sabotage and occasional ambushes. Major objectives of the FLN were to establish a front against the struggle of independence, while also organising the small militant population instead of a constant, un focused struggle against the French. The FLN's armed wing during the war, called the Armée de libération nationale, or National Liberation Army (ALN) had begun to establish structure and authority by 1956. Following a meeting by the FLN in August 1956, the FLN had established formal ranks, a code of conduct and leadership structures. It was not until after the end of the war in 1962, that the ALN was restructured to the People's National Army. During the war of independence, discussion between President Ahemd Ben Bella and Minister of Defence, Houari Boumediene led to the Establishment of the ANP in 1962, a professional military establishment with the objectives of improving external security. The People's National Army (Armée nationale populaire or ANP) was established under the Democratic Republic of Algeria, consistent of three main military branches; the army, air force and navy. Development of internal security measures were improved through the development of the Sûreté Nationale and Gendarmerie Nationale in 1962, operating to maintain law and order as the civil police force. At the time of independence, the Algerian army emerged as the only efficient powerbroker, prevalent to a country with limited economic and political infrastructure. Between independence of 1962 and the 1988 October riots, Algeria was led as a one party state, with power shackles vested by the military and security groups. Ironically, democratic groups frequently relied on the army to intervene within the political environment in support of favourable outcomes. Subsequently, most Algerian presidents have been military officers, each maintaining close relations or positions in the army up until presidency of Abdelaziz Bouteflika in 2018. Following an increase in social dissatisfaction from 1986, several riots occurred, growing until students and labour forces culminated in 1988. Forces grouped together, the general strike on October 5 of 1988, now known as the October Riots, were originally suppressed by civil police, but in escalation brought the attention of the Algerian army. Attempting to contain the demonstration, army recruits fired point blank at protestors, killing at least 200 in angering the social atmosphere and increasing unrest. Proceeding the events of the October riots, Algerian government saw a significant increase in civil unrest and protest towards the political and economic environment. To ease tension, the military was compelled to open the political system in allowing for multiple party elections. Still an immense power within the political atmosphere, the Algerian military, encouraged by France, the US and other western powers, interjected and cancelled the election results. Following the pre emptive actions of the military, the reaction saw a civil war break out over the next decade, costing more than 150,000 lives between law enforcement and opposing forces. As of 2018, the Sûreté Nationale consists of 16,000 members and are primarily armed with small firearms. The Gendarmerie Nationale serves as Algeria's main rural police force. Administered by the Ministry of Defence, the Gendarmerie is responsible for maintaining law and order in towns, villages and rural areas, providing authority and surveillance to local civilians. Algerian army and air force inventories consist of a modern component, primarily sourced equipment through Russia and China. While Algeria continues to be largely dependent on sources its equipment by foreign suppliers, significant funding has been directed towards developing domestic defence industry with aim of providing a more self sustaining supply for Algeria (as of 2019).

Uniforms, the issuing of firearms, vehicles and other equipment vary between the separate branches of internal and external law enforcement.

The Algerian army service uniform consists of an olive drab shade, featuring a similar style to the uniform worn by the United States Army. Algerian Air force troops have uniforms of a pale blue colour and navy uniforms of a darker blue. All sub sections of the army feature a variation between summer, winter and dress uniforms, and feature camouflage styling across summer and winter uniforms. The Rank insignia for the People's National Army is worn across shoulder straps by officers and enlisted members of all services within the Algerian military. Featuring similar designs to the French military, titles variate between each sub branch of the military, each with a unique design in respect to rank. As of 2019, the Algerian military maintains a force of 130,000 active personnel, 1,467 active main battle tanks and 111 tactical combat aircraft fleets. The Algerian army equipment ranges consists of several armoured, engineering & maintenance vehicles, anti tank, artillery, surface to surface missile launchers and air defence models across its six military regions. The Algerian Navy maintains a variety of submarines, vessel fleets, mine and anti mine warfare countermeasures and landing ships to operate across the country's coastal regions. The Algerian air force maintains a range of attack, transport and training helicopters, air defence and air launched missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and armoured fighting vehicles.

The Gendarmerie Nationale equipment includes various transport, patrol, armoured vehicles and light weaponry. In addition to a variety of vehicle transportation and light weaponry, the Sûreté Nationale contains a special riot police force to assist with extensive civil unrest, featuring modern riot control gear. The Gendarmerie Nationale uses a pale green uniform, while the Sûreté Nationale features dark navy colouring. Both police forces primarily use small arm weaponry.