Most complaints against police not genuine

Dubai: The Human Rights Department of Dubai Police investigated 505 complaints against police departments and stations in 2011, police said.

Out of these complaints, 298 were against police departments and 190 were against police stations while the rest pertained to other matter. However, only 67 of these were genuine, Colonel Dr Mohammad Al Murr, Director of the recently renamed Human Rights department, said.

Col Al Murr said the protection of human rights and liberties was most important. "Setting up the Rights and Liberties Protection section within the department aimed to achieve these basic human values and reach a secure society without unlawful violation to rights and liberties," he added.

The number of complaints received increased from 469 in 2010, including 279 against departments and 190 against stations. Only 73 of these complaints made in 2010 were genuine.

Col Al Murr said one of the department's achievements last year was helping resident orphans whose fathers worked in Dubai Police before their deaths with an Eid grant of Dh1,000 per person in 61,000 eligible families, which amounted to Dh180,000.

Disciplinary decisions

The department's grievances section received 119 complaints from civil and military police staff, out of which 102 were from military and 17 were from civil employees.

The grievances included 56 complaints against disciplinary decisions, 43 against work environments and 27 against yearly evaluations. After being studied by the Grievances and Complaints Committee, only 20 were found to be valid.

Col Al Murr said the total number of employee grievances received in 2010 was 108, out of which 21 were valid.

The Humanitarian Services Section of the department received 375 complaints from employees, and 250 to the appeals section, 47 to the Special Needs section, 78 to the social solidarity section.