Police force
| Dubai Police Force |
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Emblem |
| Common name | Dubai Police |
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| Operations jurisdiction | Dubai |
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| Size | 4,114 km2 (1,588 sq mi) |
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| General nature | |
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| Headquarters | Al Twar, Dubai |
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| Sworn members | 17,500+ |
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| Agency executive | |
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| dubaipolice.gov.ae |
The Dubai Police Force (Arabic: القيادة العامة لشرطة دبي) is the 17,500 strong[1] police force for the Emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. They come under the jurisdiction of the ruler of Dubai, and they cover an area of 4,114 square kilometres and a population of 2.8 million people.
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'[2]) with only 29 members. The size of the force increased gradually, to 105 in 1960 and to 430 by 1967.[3] In 1973, the force moved its headquarters to their current location of Al-Twar, 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[3] 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. The force has announced that it plans to deploy its first robot police officer by May 2017, and that their ambition is to have 25 percent of the force consist of robotic officers by 2030, as well as to operate a "smart" police station that "won't require human employees".[4][5] In addition, the force was the first to create a human rights department, as well as the first to employ a community policing programme.[3]
The new headquarters for the Dubai police is planned to be constructed in Deira, and 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'.
The police force closely cooperates with civil defence and ambulance personnel.[citation needed]
After many years, the logo/emblem of the police force was modified in January 2018.[6]
Departments
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,[7] 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 Artificial Intelligence
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.[8] In 2018, the department was renamed to correspond to the new government direction towards artificial intelligence.
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 petty crime (quarrels, swearing, defamation, etc.).
2. Dealing with offences against the person, such as murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, etc.
3. Dealing with organised crime (drug 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.).
8. Contains the Dubai section of the International Criminal Police (Interpol).
Police stations
There are currently eleven Dubai police stations in the city.
- Al-Rifaa
- This station was established in the 1970s to secure the Bur Dubai region. It has been reopened in different premises on two occasions, 1979 and 1992.
- Al-Muraqqabat
- this station was established in 1974.
- Al-Rashidiyah
- Al-Rashidiyah was created in 1976 as part of Al-Muraqqabat, however it became an independent station in 1984, and was moved to newer premises in 2000.
- Naif
- The original headquarters of the Dubai Police force, Naif Fort was constructed in 1929, and was used as a prison until the founding of the force in 1956.
- Al-Qusais
- Al-Qusais was founded in 1977 and moved to new premises in 1999.
- Hatta
- This station was established in 1974, and also moved to new premises, this time in 1976.
- Nad Al-Sheba
- This station opened in 1994 in Zabeel, though subsequently moved.
- Jebel Ali
- This station was built in 1971, and renovated in 2000.
- Ports
- Ports police station was also built in 1971, and watches over the Rashid Port.
- Bur Dubai
- This station was founded in 1979.
- Al-Barsha
- This new station opened in 2014 and covers the new developments in Al-Barsha and the surrounding locales.
Uniform, equipment and vehicles
Typical Dubai Police vehicle
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 main religion in the UAE.
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, 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 Colt M16 variants, X26 tasers, 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. General duties and patrols are carried out 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.[9] In addition to cars, the force also employs motorcycles, helicopters and boats.
Exotic and unusual patrol cars
Exotic Dubai Police cars on patrol.
The Dubai Police Force has recently acquired several luxury and high-performance vehicles (to be used in tourist areas), which include:
All of these vehicles are used for patrolling tourist areas.[12][13][14][15][16][17]
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 in September 2012 to introduce e-learning features.[18]
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.[19]
Controversies
In 2011 British tourist Lee Bradley Brown was arrested by the Dubai police and died in prison after 6 days of custody in a controversial manner.[20]
Police have detained protesters many times. Protests are not allowed in the UAE and there is a law banning criticism of the government and police.[21][22][23] Furthermore, a US citizen and a group of others were arrested in 2013 after they made a parody video of Dubai.[24]
Dubai Smart Police Stations
Merged content from Dubai Smart Police Stations to here. See Talk:Dubai Police Force
Smart Police Stations (SPS) are a series of new self-service centers offering smart police services across Dubai. The service enables customers to apply digitally for many services, such as criminal, traffic, certification and others, without a traditional visit to the police station.[25]
Dubai Police Smart Police Station
History
The stations are located in new areas and property developments. The stations allow customers skip queues and complete transactions digitally, and with no human contact. The force aims to increase its use of artificial intelligence and reduce police stations visits by 80 percent.[26]
Services
There are 27 SPS stations and they operate 24 hours a day and operate daily, including on weekends and holidays. The stations provide services in six languages,[27] and they provide services in the following categories:
- Criminal Services: Customers are able to register for a request for victim support, reporting a bounce cheque, filing a labor complaint, getting aid from the police eye, filing criminal complaints, request for home security, inquire about police reports and report human trafficking.
- Traffic Services: The SPS offers the services of reissuing a traffic accident report, applying for a traffic status certificate, applying for changing a vehicle color and to pay fines online.
- Certificates and Permits: The customers can apply for lost item certificates, good conduct certificates, corpse entry permits, night work permits, road closure permits, clearance certificates and To Whom It May Concern certificates.
- Community Services: For the community, the SPS allows customers to apply for tourist security services, events security requests, request for leaders at your service, job vacancies, heart patient services, delivery of found items and the search for lost items.[28]
