Law enforcement in Algeria
[1] The Sûreté Nationale is primarily responsible for cities and large urban areas, performing routine policing duties in upholding Algerian law.
[2] Algerian law enforcement plays a notable role under service of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, both acting as an internal security force for the country.
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.
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.
[8] Modern attitudes towards Algerian law enforcement have led to an ongoing attempt in making the armed forces more professional, reflected in a 6-month reduction of conscription liability to 12 months, as of 2014.
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.
[6] Additionally, the Gendarmerie acts to represent government control over remote regions and work closely with customs at border points to enforce import laws and regulations.
Under the Algerian constitution, the president maintains supreme commander over all armed forces, devoted to national defence in resolution of internal and external conflicts.
[3] The Algerian navy operates with the goal of preventing smuggling, illegal entry of undesirable aliens and other offences to assure Algeria's security of coastal areas.
Following independence in 1962, the Algerian government believed that loyalty and morality of the armed forces were key to maintaining its stability in a time ridden by social, economic and political instability.
Most military personnel operate under favourable employment conditions, with higher than average food and pay, further featuring advantages of medical care, retirement benefits, and post-retirement skills training when transitioning into the civilian sector.
Ordinary criminal cases are denoted in a regular civil court system by judges appointed by the Ministry of Justice, arranged by an independent board.
[6] In addition to the police and military, Algerian law enforcement operates several Intelligence agencies to further maintain internal security and external threats.
Although the role of and legal restrictions of intelligence agencies may be assumed to match those of the Sûreté and gendarmerie police forces, precise details of their function have remained fluid.
[6] 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.
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.
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.
