Police discuss role in diverse society

Abu Dhabi: Understanding the challenges of policing in diverse communities requires learning from international experience and sharing best practices, said Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

Shaikh Saif made the statement as the inaugural Middle East Community Policing Conference, organised by the Abu Dhabi Police, began on Sunday.

Held under the theme: "Building Responsive Communities in the Middle East", the conference brings together experts in community policing including senior members of international and regional police forces.

Community reassurance

The theme has been chosen to reflect the significant economic and social changes that are occurring within the region and the role that effective community policing can have in maintaining public security and strengthening community reassurance in these fast-changing times, the minister said.

"This conference gives us the opportunity to frame a common vision for community policing in the region, and to adopt models that uphold the values and traditions of our societies," said Shaikh Saif.

Commenting on the goal of the three-day conference, Major General Mohammad Al Awadi, General Director of Policing Operations and Human Resources at Abu Dhabi Police said: "The economic and social changes poses challenges for the police in the overall way that they conduct their business i.e. their structure, management style and how they measure their effectiveness and accountability while at the same time seeking to preserve the cultural values that underpin life in the Emirate. The conference seeks to address these issues and place them within a regional context."

Abu Dhabi police recognises that the safety and security of society based upon arrangements that bring together the police, the community and partner agencies in a cooperative and mutually supportive role to address community concerns about crime, social disorder and the fear of crime, he said.