From tragedy to triumph: How one Italian officer is inspiring the world from Dubai

Dubai: At the World Police Summit in Dubai, where leaders from over 110 countries came together, one woman stood out—not because she walked across the stage, but because she rolled across it with courage and pride.

Adele Gesso, Deputy Officer with the Italian State Police – Road Police, received the *People of Determination Excellence Award* at a special ceremony held at the Dubai Police Officers Club. Sitting in her wheelchair, she smiled through tears as the audience gave her a standing ovation. Her story touched everyone in the room.

This wasn’t just an award—it was a message to the world. Gesso had turned a painful personal tragedy into a powerful example of hope, showing that strength comes in many forms.

On September 16, 1996, Gesso was on duty with a colleague on the A6 highway in Italy. They were answering an urgent call when another car suddenly cut them off. Their police car hit the guardrail and spun out of control.

The crash left Gesso with a permanent spinal injury, and her colleague suffered a serious head injury. Gesso, who was just 29 at the time, could no longer walk or wear the police uniform she loved so much.

“It was very hard to accept,” she said. “I loved being a police officer. Going back to work and seeing everyone in uniform while I couldn’t wear mine anymore made me feel weak and dependent.”

But Gesso didn’t give up. After years of recovery and therapy, she returned to work in 1999. She got a driver’s license for a specially adapted car and continued to serve, even though her role had changed.

“I didn’t choose to be injured,” she said. “But I chose to keep going. That was my freedom.”

With support from her department and coworkers, her office was adjusted to fit her needs. She found new ways to serve—not on the streets, but by helping people learn about road safety.

Gesso began visiting schools and universities across Italy, telling her story to students and encouraging them to follow traffic rules. Her message was simple but powerful: “A disability doesn’t stop you from making a difference.”

She also trained other police officers and joined traffic safety programs like Project Icaro, sharing her experiences in conferences and workshops focused on protecting both officers and the public.

In 2017, Gesso was about to leave home to give a talk at a local school when someone knocked on her door. Her mother opened it to find a group of police officers holding a box wrapped in blue ribbon with the police logo.

Inside was her official police uniform—clean, pressed, and showing the same rank she held before the accident. There was also an updated version of the uniform, with her name and new role as a symbol of civic awareness.

“I didn’t ask for this,” she said, holding the uniform. “But it came just when I needed it most.”

That day, for the first time in years, she wore her uniform again—not to patrol the streets, but to represent the police with pride and purpose.

In Dubai, as she accepted her award, Gesso thanked the Dubai Police for recognizing her journey.

“This is more than just an award,” she said. “It sends a message to the world—that a wheelchair can’t stop someone from making a difference.”

She also thanked Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, for supporting people of determination.

“This award is not just for me,” she said. “It’s for everyone who keeps going, even when life gets hard.”

Today, Gesso continues her work, helping others and spreading awareness. She believes that every life challenge is a chance to grow.

 “Life is always an opportunity,” she said. “You can always find a new way forward if you stay strong and keep your goals in sight.”

 Her story is a reminder that even after great pain, it’s possible to rise again—and sometimes, to shine even brighter.