The Dubai Police Museum is testimony to the many achievements of Dubai Police and the developments the force has made since its establishment in 1956.

Located in the police headquarters near Al Mulla Plaza, the museum houses the large and ungainly computer first imported by Dubai Police from abroad.

Visitors can also see the photograph of the first Dubai policeman, as well as the first police circular issued 37 years ago.

The three halls of the museum display some unique and rare items, including weapons used by the police over the years, early communication devices and the first police logo.

The Dubai Police Museum opened its doors on November 19, 1987, and is considered one-of-a-kind in the region.

In April 1995 the International Council of Museums decided, at a meeting in Jordan, to add the Dubai Police Museum to the record of Arab Museums.

The museum is open to the public from 8am to 2pm on weekdays. Visitors must complete an online form from the Dubai Police website.

According to the museum supervisor, the museum has helped the police develop better relations with the public.

He said the objectives of the museum are to document the achievements of the police force since its inception, as well as to educate the public on how law and order is maintained.

Some of the interesting displays are the techniques used by smugglers to bring drugs into the emirate. Yet another section highlights facilities for prisoners.

The museum attracts thousands of visitors each year, including international delegations.

Unique exhibits

The displays at the museum include old and new photographs; weapons and tools used by the force in the past; old and new weapons and a collection of anti-riot devices; tools and equipment used in police stations; achievements by the police in combating the drug menace; police exhibits in the GCC states; handicraft such as pieces of furniture, boats and sculptures made by prisoners at the Punitive Establishment in Dubai; and educational traffic campaigns conducted by the Dubai Police since 1984.

A walk down the halls: The museum has three main halls, which house unique and rare collections. Hall 1 exhibits the early instruments, tools and weapons used by Dubai Police.

For instance, the first Dubai Police logo created by Peter Clayton; the first Dubai Law Book published in 1966; photographs of the first Dubai policeman, Mohammad Saeed Buhameed; the first Dubai Police training batch; the first Dubai Police orders circular dated April 4, 1968; and the first graduate class of Dubai Police College, which includes Lieutenant-General Dahi Khalfan Tamim.

Some old communication tools such as the first telegraph machine, first marine radar used at the port and several other wireless communication devices are also on display in Hall 1.

The centre of attraction is the first computer used by the Dubai Police. Despite its giant size, it was the latest technology then and it made Dubai Police one of the best equipped in the region.

Hall II

Hall II displays anti-narcotics, criminal investigation and forensics displays, with a separate area for exhibits related to Dubai Prison.

Large collections of confiscated items reveal the different techniques used by drug dealers in their attempt to smuggle drugs into Dubai.

Displays reveal failed attempts of smuggling drugs in fruit, clothes, letters and cards, packed food products, musical instruments, furniture and even oil barrels.

One section deals with tragic airplane and helicopter crashes.

There is a copy of the Holy Quran, which was found at the site of a plane crash where everything else was burned to ashes.

Hall III

A considerable section of Hall III concentrates on the Dubai Central Prison. It includes a large model of the prison along with photographs highlighting the facilities available to inmates. There is also a collection of handicraft made by prisoners and a collection of regional police uniforms.