Dubai: The Dubai Police Chief has joined Twitter because he feels the common man does not have easy access to senior officials, and social media sites facilitate easy access.
Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police, joined Twitter on July 25 and already has more than 2,300 followers. He is the first senior police official to join the microblogging site.
From the day he joined Twitter, Lieutenant General Dahi started discussing almost everything with his "followers" from topics concerning society, such as issues of concern in residential areas to "wasta" (influence) to dirty TV channels to tweeting spontaneous poetry written by him.
"I strongly believe in social networking sites because many people might not have easy access to officials through other means and these [social networking] sites could be their only way," Lieutenant General Dahi told Gulf News yesterday.
He said he wants to be closer to the community's queries or complaints.
"I am focusing basically on people's concerns about Dubai Police and I refer them to the appropriate departments. However, if there are concerns about other departments, I will still refer them to those concerned departments," he said.
Main goal
Lieutenant General Dahi said his main goal behind joining Twitter is to encourage other government officials to follow suit.
"It is important for government officials to be accessible to people, listen to their concerns and react. I will soon open a Facebook account as well," he said.
In a reply to one of his account's followers on Twitter, regarding him being on Twitter, Lieutenant General Dahi said: "This is the world of speed. People want quick answers, as fast as Twitter. Dubai Police has to be a pioneer in this." To another follower, he said: "We should avail of these new mediums [Twitter] to connect with people."
Lieutenant General Dahi said he has launched a campaign at Dubai Police titled "I am a service officer, tell us how do you want us to serve you?"
Even the much-awaited announcement about discount for traffic fines in the emirate of Dubai was announced by him through his account.
He communicated with each follower who had a query for him; to some he replied instantly, while for others he said: "Your query or concern will be followed up. I will let you know."
He even gave his mobile phone number to a follower on Twitter so he can follow up on his issue.
Traffic awareness
Lieutenant General Dahi also discussed traffic road accidents and fatalities and said Dubai Police aim to reduce the number of fatalities by 25 deaths compared to last year.
He also said he will contribute to raising traffic awareness and even running competitions.
Lieutenant General Dahi had also asked people on Twitter about the issues they were facing in their residential neighbourhoods. Several people replied and cited issues like bachelors living among families.
He then said, "I received the public's complaints regarding neighbourhoods, the CID is following up."
In a reply to one of his followers, he said the issue of bachelor accommodation in residential areas will be his focus during his talk with the municipality's director-general. "I am a citizen before being a police officer. Who has forbidden us from expressing a point of view?"
Information
- Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police, joined Twitter on July 25 and already has more than 2,300 followers, who follow his account on @dhahibintameem
- Dubai Police General Headquarters is also on Twitter on @DubaiPoliceHQ
