Breaking barriers: Meet Dubai Police’s first female bomb disposal expert

Dubai: In a field where precision is life-saving and fear must be mastered, First Lieutenant Engineer Al Reem Abdul Rahman Abdullah stands as a pioneering force. As Dubai Police’s first female bomb disposal expert, she is not just handling explosives, she is rewriting the rules of who belongs on the frontlines.

Wearing the badge of courage and innovation, 27-year-old First Lieutenant Engineer Al Reem serves with Dubai Police’s elite Explosives Management Department. Her daily duties include some of the most dangerous tasks in law enforcement: disarming improvised explosive devices (IEDs), neutralising suspicious packages, and safely disposing of expired fireworks, military ammunition, and hazardous explosives.

But her mission extends beyond physical safety. With over six years of experience, Lt. Al Reem is dismantling both explosive devices and long-standing gender barriers in one of the most male-dominated branches of police work.

“When I joined this field in 2019, I knew I was stepping into a world very few women had entered, if any,” she said in an exclusive interview with Gulf News at the World Police Summit in Dubai. A featured speaker at the 2025 World Police Summit, she moderated a key panel titled ‘Global Guardians: Strengthening Regional Security through Digital-Age Policing’. She is also slated to speak at the summit’s explosives forum on its final day.

“But Dubai Police have always believed in empowering women. I took that trust seriously,” she added.

“Explosives impact more than just human lives, they affect entire ecosystems. My research focuses on managing these materials in ways that reduce environmental harm,” she explained.

This drive led her to become the first Emirati woman to earn a master’s degree in explosives engineering from Cranfield University in the UK, the only university in the world offering this unique specialisation. Her thesis, now being implemented in the UAE, tackles the prevention of explosive residue contamination in soil and water, an initiative she presented at COP28.

Training, technology, and mentorship

As she nears seven years in the field, Lt. Al Reem is shifting focus toward education, sustainability, and mentorship.

“My vision is to serve the state, build safety, and inspire the next generation, This is more than a job, it’s a mission,” she added.

Despite the life-threatening nature of her role, Lt. Al Reem says preparation and mentorship have been key to her success. “Of course, there is fear in the beginning. But every training course, every exercise turns fear into focus,” she said.

She credits Colonel Expert Khalifa Hassan, Director of the Explosives Security Department, as a pivotal mentor in her journey. Now, she has become a mentor herself, training new recruits and advocating for the inclusion of more women in defence and security sectors.

A firm believer in technology, Lt. Al Reem and her team rely on advanced robotics to handle high-risk situations. “Technology is our right hand. Often, it’s the robot, not a person, that approaches the suspected device,” she added.

A voice for women in uniform

When she joined the unit in 2019, Lt. Al Reem was the sole female officer in the department. Today, she is actively building and training all-female teams in bomb disposal and security inspections. “Women play a critical role. There are situations where only female officers can conduct inspections. This is not just about representation, it’s about operational necessity,” she noted.

In addition to her technical responsibilities, she lectures, develops training programs, and leads workshops to prepare the next generation of women in security.

Global recognition

Her pioneering work has earned her recognition both locally and internationally.

Among her key achievements: