Dubai: A shop owner in Ajman was arrested for possessing and selling fake uniform buttons similar to the ones used by Dubai police officers, confirmed a senior police source.
The case was brought to the criminal investigation department's notice when a store in Ajman, which is believed to be a tailor's shop, had buttons with Dubai Police logo on it and which is a replica of the ones used on the uniforms of police officers.
Aqeel Al Najjar, a forensic expert at the General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology at Dubai Police, said this is the first case of its kind to be inspected by his department which specialises in examining documents, products and hand-writings.
"I don't have the details of the case but it's quite interesting to find a store selling such buttons. Is there a market for it? Are there police officers stitching costumes in other unofficial stores," he said.
A police officer, who did not want to be named, said some police officers whose uniforms get ruined for whatever reason might have used this store as an alternative to the long procedure they have to endure when applying through the Dubai Police tailoring department at Dubai Police headquarters.
Ruined uniforms
"Based on Dubai Police regulations for their staff members, ruining the uniform or losing any of the military costume accessories such as the hat, baton, or buttons is considered a serious matter and the person could face a military trial or a fine," he said.
Only after obtaining a clearance, an officer is able to apply for a new uniform or a replacement for the lost accessory," said a police officer. He said annually officers get two new uniforms.
According to Al Najjar, they got samples of a small and a large-sized button from the shop in Ajman to examine.
"The buttons used by the shop and the sample given to us to inspect was fake.
"This is serious because these buttons are only made for police officers and from a specific company in Italy. It is not authorised to be used by any other person [civilians]. These buttons could be used by suspects impersonating police officers," he said.
