Dubai Police force gets top rating from our readers

Dubai: Dubai Police have been voted the force Gulf News readers trust the most. They beat London with 47 per cent of the votes. The "bobbies" came in second place with 18 per cent.

What is it that inspires such faith in readers?

Richard Sanfrancis, an Indian expatriate, sent a theory to gulfnews.com: "It is because of the way they conduct themselves in public. I have yet to see a policeman in Dubai misbehaving or being rude to anybody, even under very trying circumstances like accidents or emergencies."

Gulf News had an online poll and reader survey to rate the police forces of the world following the report on July 12 about the cartoonist who reported a police officer for slapping a motorist involved in a traffic accident. Dubai Police is taking serious action against the policeman.

C.V. Pradeep, a project coordinator, said he voted for Dubai Police because "they are very prompt in service, fast in action and equipped to face any challenge& they beat many countries in this regard!"

Readers agreed that most police officers went out of their way to help others and were very compassionate.

Faris Abdullah Mahmood said: "The police here act as a 'friend in need'. I have experienced their sincerity in doing their job even in the harshest weather."

Varughese Shaji, a Dubai resident, said: "Once, I saw two policemen in Deira changing the punctured tyre of a car for a woman. I believe Dubai Police are very helpful and friendly."

Experiences such as Shaji's extended to other readers, too.

Jerusha Sequeira has been in Dubai for 17 years and said she always found police officers to be polite and efficient - especially when judged against those in other countries.

She said: "Compared to the police force in India, where there is a lot of corruption, I definitely find them very approachable and matter-of-fact. I always feel comfortable going up and talking to them."

Gulf News poll

In your experience, which police force would you trust the most?

- Dubai 47%
- London 18%
- New York 11%
- Delhi 9%
- Sydney 6%
- Karachi 5%
- Manila 2%
- Beirut 1%
- Cairo 1%
- Johannesburg 1%

Total votes: 2,732