What they have to say...

Alia Al Theeb speaks to police officials to find out the secret of the Force's success.

Brigadier Khamis Mattar Al Mezainah, Director, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), says, "Dubai Police has achieved many things as a result of the continuous follow-up and guidance of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"Shaikh Mohammad's efforts have given Dubai Police the reputation it enjoys on the Arabic and international levels today.

"Lieutenant-General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police, has also played a key role. Through his exceptional managerial approach and on-the-field follow-up, he has contributed actively in the development of Dubai Police.

"His efforts have helped in developing officers who hold various important departments in the police. We also cannot forget the role played by retired officers who have helped build a strong base. All these have helped Dubai Police achieve tremendous success."

He believes that police must keep abreast of developments and be aware of the requirements and changes in the field or within the administration.

"Dubai Police constantly develops its work mechanisms and has qualities other police departments, even on the international level, may lack, especially in terms of new technologies and the means of approaching them," he says.

The security methods have also changed over the last two decades.

"Learning new things in the security field is one of our priorities, as is learning about the indicators of crimes.

"Unlike in the 80s and 90s, today the public is aware of legal procedures. The security level has also changed in terms of services and quality," says Brigadier Al Mezainah.

Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the Traffic Department, joined Dubai Police in 1984 as a candidate while studying in the US.

"I was studying in the US on a scholarship by the Dubai Police. I studied civil engineering, which qualifies one to gain masters in traffic engineering. In fact, Lieutenant-General Tamim had urged me to study traffic engineering," recalls Brigadier Al Zafein.

"I believe every human being serves his country in one way or another. I was a part of the traffic committee from 1992 to 2002 and used to be on the field. We studied roads and found many mistakes that were fixed," he says.

According to Brigadier Al Zafein, Dubai Police reached this level only by the efforts of Shaikh Mohammad.

"The farsightedness and working method of Lieutenant-General Tamim has created a qualitative leap for Dubai Police, and I am proud to be a member of Dubai Police," he says.
 
Brigadier Rashid Ali Al Mazroui, Director of Dubai Police's General Department of Services and Supplies, joined Dubai Police in 1977 as a Deputy Director of Naif Police Station.

He held the position of Department Director for various departments including traffic department, criminal investigation department and planning and development department.

"The opportunity to work in different departments was the best thing because these changes helped build my mentality," he says.

The department first consisted of a clinic, supermarkets and secondary services. In 1991, the new building was opened at the headquarters and in 1995, the name changed to the Services and Supplies Department.

"In the past, we used cars that did not have air-conditioning and policemen walked as they did not have motorbikes. Also the force was not as big," he said.

The cars police used then were Land Rovers and Daihatsu jeeps, as the roads were sandy and required strong cars that could withstand rough drives.

"The bleep was everything for us, as it was the most important means of communication for the policemen. We also had wireless devices that connected police patrols and other policemen. There was a time when we carried the five kilogramme mobile phone because the connecting range of the bleep was limited and could not work in faraway places," says Brigadier Al Mazroui.

"The Golden Jubilee celebration comes at the right time, when Dubai Police sits pretty in a unique position - being successful locally, regionally and internationally. Teamwork has become the motto and method for this remarkable establishment," he says.

Brigadier Al Mazroui recalls an incident with his one of sons, who is currently a candidate in the police and wants to follow his father.

"As his father and a policeman, I told him that police work is not an easy job and there is a lot of pressure involved. But, my son said ?I would like to do it because you made me love it'."