Saudi prince calls for the creation of a female police force

Manama: A Saudi prince has called for the creation of a policewomen force in Saudi Arabia, saying that Saudi society has long delayed such a decision.

Writing for Saudi daily Al Ektisadiya, Prince Saud Bin Mansoor Al Saud noted that Saudi women have yet to be given the opportunity to work in the police force, unlike the rest of the world, even though some of them are competent with weapons.

"We know that women in the non-urban areas are competent in dealing with weapons and in protecting their environment from bandits and cattle thieves," the prince wrote.

One of the reasons to allow women to join the police force is to help them to tackle terror threats, according to the 33-year-old prince.

"Terrorism has, for various reasons, harmed our security. Most of those wanted in connection with acts of terror and especially since the publication of their names, have been moving around disguised in women's clothes. They often fool our policemen because of our strong traditions," he wrote in his column on Monday. "Checkpoints policemen cannot verify the identity of women, regardless of the level of suspicion, because of their subtle behaviour towards our women."

A security study should be conducted to assess the situation, and a training programme drafted within the confines of religion and based on the local traditions, he wrote.

"A good beginning would be to ask policemen out in the field if they want to have some of their female relatives employed along with them. The women would be dressed modestly, would work for hours and would deal exclusively with women."

Another possibility, he says, would be to have women-only vehicles at checkpoints that would be used to check the identity of women in suspicious cases.

"I do not see anything wrong with that even though we might hear voices complaining about the presence of Saudi women in vehicles," Prince Saud wrote. "I see that it is better for well-trained Saudi women to be ready to help preserve the nation's security than to remain idle at home watching series and rubbish television channels. It is much better than insane empty hours."

However, the prince insisted that his suggestion, "is for those who want it to hear it, and not for those who will oppose it just for the sake of opposing it."