Dubai Police Force

History

The Dubai Police force was founded on 1 June 1956 in Naif (a locality in the Deira side of Dubai, with the first police station being known as 'Naif Fort') with only 29 members. The size of the force increased gradually, to 105 in 1960 and to 430 by 1967. In 1973, the force moved its headquarters to their current location of Al-Towar, on Al-Etihad Street in Dubai. At present, a further move is being planned to a newly constructed headquarters, again in Deira.

The Dubai Police force strives to be 'most progressive' of all Arabic police forces and aims for high education standards amongst its personnel. The force was the first to use many new law enforcement techniques, including electronic finger printing and DNA testing. The force was also the first to use GPS systems to locate stolen vehicles. In addition, the force was the first to create a Human Rights Department, as well as the first to employ a Community Policing programme.

The new headquarters for the Dubai police is planned to be constructed in Deira, the premises were designed with several considerations in mind. As well as making easy access for both officers and members of the public a priority, the new design aims to separate the departments into different areas. The building is also to feature a central, multi-level internal space, and is designed to fit in with the developing architecture of surrounding Dubai, the Dubai police force describe it as a 'distinguished constructional conception'.

Organisation

The Dubai police force operates under a General Commander and his deputy, who in turn work under the Police Chief and his own deputy. The General Commander forms part of an organisational office which, with a Decision Making Support Centre, organises fifteen separate departments:

The General Department of Operations

This is the heart of the Dubai Police force. Round the clock telephone lines help to electronically control all patrols from this department, with 2,000 land lines and 178 fax machines, and utilising wireless equipment to locate both car and foot patrols. The department also coordinates all emergency responses as well as search and rescue operations on land and sea.

The General Department of E-Services

This department is another integral part of the police force, as well as being the most recent department to be created. It was established in 2001 as part of the aims of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, to form a totally electronic government. In 2008 30% of UAE national are assigned to the work in the E-services Department to fulfill their duty. In 2014, Director-General Khalid Nasser Alrazooqi introduced Google Glass to the police force to issue fines and identify wanted cars.

The General Department of Criminal Investigation

This the primary crime fighting department of the Dubai Police, its objectives are laid out by as follows:

1. Dealing with daily, small-time crimes (quarrels, swearing, defamation.. etc.).
2. Dealing with crimes of a dangerous nature, such as murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, etc.
3. Dealing with organised crime (drugs trafficking, money laundering, internationally wanted criminals etc.).
4. Social services, such as lost property, things found, certificates of good conduct, licences of all kinds etc.).
5. Employing scientific evidence (such as Forensic Medicine, fingerprints, documents, arsons, chemical analysis, firearms etc.).
6. Employing identity recognition means (such as fingerprints, the DNA, criminal records etc.).
7. Crime prevention methods (such guidance, directives, follow-up, statistical projections, periodicals etc.).

Police stations

There are currently ten Dubai police stations in the city.

Uniform, equipment and vehicles

The standard uniform of the Dubai police officer is an olive green shirt with a red band running under the left arm and looped through the left epaulette, a dark green beret with a golden badge depicting the logo of the police force, olive green trousers and black boots. Women officers generally wear a headscarf due to the fact that Islam is the official religion of the state.

Alternatively, officers wear a light brown shirt and trousers, though the rest of the uniform remains the same. High-ranking officers wear a combination cap and rank badges on the collar, together with their light brown uniform.

In Dubai, both male and female police officers carry semi-automatic handguns such as the Caracal and Sig Sauer pistols, while Special Emergency Units (SWAT) gain a varied arsenal of weapons such as the Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine gun, Glock 17 pistols, Ithaca 37 shotguns, M4 and M16 Variant Rifles, X26 Tazers, Flash Grenades and other weapons depending on the situation encountered.

The Dubai police vehicles are painted with a white and dark green colour scheme, with all blue emergency lights. Every Dubai police vehicle has the force's website and email addresses printed on it. The Dubai Police Force has recently acquired a few luxury and high-performance vehicles (which include a Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, a Ferrari FF, a Chevrolet Camaro SS, a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, a Bentley Continental GT, a limited edition Aston Martin One-77, a Ford Mustang GT, a BMW M6 Gran Coupé, a Brabus G63 AMG, a Bugatti Veyron, an Audi R8, a Nissan GT-R, a Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, a McLaren MP4-12C, a McLaren 650s, a Hummer H3, a Lexus GS, a Lexus RC F, a Toyota Land Cruiser, a BMW i8 and a GMC Sierra) which are to be used for patrolling tourist areas. General duties and patrols are carried by Chevrolet, Toyota, Mazda and Nissan vehicles. In 2013, the force saw the arrival of new eco-friendly vehicles, which are one seaters but can carry an additional passenger. In addition to cars, the force also employs motorcycles, helicopters and boats.

The police force closely cooperates with Civil Defence and Ambulance personnel.

Academy

The Dubai Police Academy was founded in 1987, and was granted autonomy from the police force as long as it retains some affiliation with Dubai Police General Headquarters. It was fully inaugurated in 1989 in the presence of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. In 1992, degrees offered by the academy were made equal to degrees from universities.

The first class was from 1987 to 1988, and consisted of 51 cadets and 30 full-time students, some of whom were existing police officers. They graduated in 1991. During the academic year of 1996-1997, students from Arabic countries such as Yemen, Oman, Lebanon and Palestinian Territories were admitted.

It offers several degrees, such as License in Law and Police sciences, Masters in law (with several concentrations), and Doctoral degree in law.

It maintains international standards of teaching and employs modern teaching methodology including e-learning and has revamped its website on 15 September to introduce e-learning features.

Museum

The Dubai Police Museum, located at Al-Mulla Plaza, opened on 19 November 1987. It comprises three exhibit halls, as well as documenting anti-drug efforts of the police force, and the force's prison systems. On 19 November 1987, the International Council of Museums placed the museum on the record of Arab Museums.

Controversies

The police in Dubai has long been accused of brutality including the practice of torture leading to serious injury as well as death. In 2011 British tourist Lee Bradley Brown was arrested by the Dubai police and died in prison after succumbing to injuries inflicted by beatings allegedly from the Dubai police. Police have arrested many people in recent years, for posting funny videos on the internet. Anyone posting material deemed offensive to the government or to the royal families, will also be arrested. Police have also been heavy handed when dealing with protestors or prisoners.