Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police commemorated the 60th anniversary of its establishment at Police College in the capital on Tuesday. The first police department was established in Abu Dhabi in 1957.
The police celebrated the continuing journey of excellence at the forefront of society’s safety and security.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and witnessed by Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior.
A number of shaikhs and ministers including Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs attended the function.
Speaking on the occasion, Major General Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, said: “We have become one of the best police in the world and its all credit goes to the noble leadership of the country and their far-sighted vision for achieving excellence.”
Since 1957 the police department continued to excel playing a vital role in ensuring the safety of the society and it would continue with similar enthusiasm and strength. Now the world has witnessed our excellence in all fields of policing and security, he said.
“We continue to strive to excel,” the commander in chief of the police said.
Under the patronage of noble leadership, the police played a key role in safety and security of locals, expatriate communities alike and ensured them all a peaceful living in a safe and secured environment, the police said.
Abu Dhabi Police was established by late Shaikh Shakhbout Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
In sixty years, the police department has witnessed several strategic transformations pertaining to regulations, buildings, developments and merging with the Ministry of Interior, which started from the then rulers — Shaikh Shakhbout and Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The strategic development continued to date.
During its celebration of six decades, the police remembered the important milestones through these years until now, and a future foresight.
In past over six decades, the Abu Dhabi Police have also seen a number of changes to its identities and labels.
From 1966 to 1957 it was called Police Department and General Security, 1967 to 1971 it was named Abu Dhabi Police under regional Ministry of Interior, 1971 to 1974 General Directorate of Police, 1975 to 1981 General Department of Abu Dhabi Police and from 1981 to 2004 and until today it’s known as General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police.
Last week, Abu Dhabi Police have launched their strategic vision for 100th anniversary of the police [1957-2057] where it plans to build an external space department for Abu Dhabi Police, smart patrol, police air patrols and robotic policing.
Recently the police have also replaced their old emblem, identity, vehicle colours and uniforms with new ones.
These all initiatives are to upgrade and enhance the community policing and provide them best security and protection of the society, the police said.
