Abu Dhabi Police


Abu Dhabi Police is the primary law enforcement agency in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, one of the United Arab Emirates.

Overview

Under the command of Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Abu Dhabi Police is primarily responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout the Emirate.

Commanders of Abu Dhabi Police

Abu Dhabi Police has taken different designations over its history and been identified by the following six names:
Since the formation of the Abu Dhabi Police in 1957, the evolution of the police has occurred in four primary stages, as follows:
;Foundation stage: 1957–1966
;Building stage: 1966–1979
;Progressive stage: 1979–1995
;Modernization, qualitative and strategic development stage: 1995–present
After many decades using green colours, the uniforms were changed to gray in 2017. In addition, the emblem and the vehicles liveries have been modified. They were also changed a few times before this.

Structure

Search and Rescue

The UAE Urban Search and Rescue Team is part of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, made up of more than 80 countries and organizations. The UAE joined the elite corps of 16 on 19 December 2009. The team was launched when emergency and public safety department workers were deployed after Pakistan's 2005 earthquake. In 2006 and 2007 they operated in Indonesia. In 2008 in Afghanistan and in 2009 Indonesia again. The UN advisory group was established in 1991 by teams responding to the 1988 Armenian earthquake. Given the high cost of search and rescue missions and the need to dispatch quickly, it was decided to build a group of teams that could be called upon around the world to be deployed in an emergency. The classification is based on globally accepted standards for international search and rescue operations and members have to be able to deploy their teams free of charge. On 25 August 2010, the team traveled to Pakistan to assist with the flood relief effort.

Forensic Services

In 1980 the first laboratory opened in Abu Dhabi. Has international accreditation IS017025 for 50% of services, including:
Toxicology,
Alcohol,
Biology,
DNA,
Fingerprint,
Doping, Documents.
There are 180 staff in Forensic Services plus 100 support staff.

Department of Government and Diplomatic Premises Protection

Responsible for the protection of government and diplomatic premises. Preparing policies and regulations regarding the establishment of, granting of licences to, monitoring and assessing the performance of the private security companies.

Department of Special Tasks

Responsible for planning for riot prevention and VIP protection.

Department of F7

Provides teams at serious incidents including sniper units, explosives experts, divers etc. This highly trained Team deals with tasks, not much is known about them however some believe they are seen in action in the Murder of Ibolya Ryan video which took place in Abu Dhabi.

Criminal Investigations Department (CID)

Responsible for strategies, policies and procedures for crime reduction and control. Carrying out criminal investigations.

Directorate of Traffic and Patrols

Responsible for monitoring traffic and traffic violations. Includes marked and unmarked patrol cars.
Traffic Patrols now use the Mobile Data Transfer System, also known as AREST. This allows information from an accident, traffic violation or major congestion to be sent to all key authorities within seconds. After an accident the vehicle details, description of the incident, vehicle history and photographs are uploaded and connected to the Abu Dhabi Municipality and Abu Dhabi Police GHQ. It is designed not only to allow for a faster processing of accident reports or fines it also allows for detailed data to be compiled over, for example, accident trouble spots or areas of traffic build up. This can be used by the authorities to investigate trouble spots and devise solutions.

Department of Vehicles and Licensing

Issues vehicle and driving licences.

Department of Community Police

Established in 2003 as a method to enhance the proactive role of the police and community in crime prevention. The community police are also active in social programs and local events as a means to strengthen relations with the public.

Department of Social Support Centres

Responsible for issue of domestic and household violence. Providing care and psychological support to the victims of violence and crimes against children, women and the elderly.

Operations Department

Responsible for planning and managing any security crisis or disaster, crisis management and emergency situations.

Air Wing Section

Manages and provides aerial search and rescue operations. Monitoring and tracking of other criminal activities.

Security Inspection Department

Police Dogs Section. Carries out search, criminal investigation, anti-narcotics, identification parades, tracing and detection of weapons and explosives.
private security business development

Department of Weapons and Explosives

Issues weapons and explosive licences and deals with all activities related to the licensing, usage, transportation, storage, detection and diffusion of explosives.

Facial Recognition System

The programme was established in 2007 after evaluation of 1560 samples from 30 individuals. It measures 300 reference points across the face. The UAE is the first country to match the system with criminal lists at border control points.

Iris Technology

The main study into the effectiveness of this technology is known as the UAE Study. In partnership with the University of Cambridge a pair comparison of 200 billion was conducted among a sample of 632,500 irises. No false matches were detected. The system is in place at all UAE entry and exit ports and works inconjunction with the immigration authorities.

Happiness patrol

Abu Dhabi police have a happiness patrol and is the only kind in the world.

Virtual Global Taskforce

In March 2010, the Ministry of Interior became a member of the Virtual Global Taskforce.
A Higher Committee was formed for the Protection of Children. The Chair of this committee is Major General Nasser Salem L. Al Nuaimi. The Chair represents the UAE on the board of the VGT. The Higher Committee for Child Protection was issued with the following responsibilities:
The College was established by the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Federal Law No. was issued in 1985 and stipulated the foundation of the College. The aim was stated as to create an effective police force, enhance the security of the country, safeguard its achievements and gain the confidence of society.
The law initially stipulated that the duration of study and training in the College would be two years, after which the student would receive a Diploma in Policing Sciences.
The duration of study was changed to four years in 1992 following the issue of Federal Law No.. The study programme includes practical and field training. After successful completion of the programme the student shall be awarded a bachelor's degree in law and policing sciences.
An Institute for officers training affiliated to the Police College was established by the same Law of 1992. In 2002 the system of study in the College was changed to incorporate training theory programmes and field work.
According to this new system the four years duration of study are divided into two levels of study consisting of eight terms:
These two levels are preceded by an introductory period for the physical and psychological preparation of the students. After successful completion of the study and training programmes the student will be awarded a Bachelor's degree in Police Sciences and Criminal Justice.

Events

Golden Jubilee, 2007

Abu Dhabi Police celebrated its golden jubilee on 5 December 2007.
A mass wedding ceremony of 50 nationals, symposiums and lectures, exhibitions of the work of Abu Dhabi Police, a book documenting the history of the police force and collection of half a million signatures on a huge canvas were all part of the celebrations. The occasion was used to showcase the police force, its security capabilities, technological applications and its training. Many social activities, community programmes, sports activities were part of the golden jubilee celebrations. Organised under the directives of Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan celebrations were held under the slogan 'Fifty years of building leadership and distinction'.

F999

As part of the first ever Formula One Grand Prix to be in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Police unveiled the world's fastest police car – the F999.
On Abu Dhabi Corniche on 31 October, thousands turned out to witness a drive past of police vehicles past and present, a performance by the Abu Dhabi Police Band before the F999 was unveiled.

Falcon Bike

The bike was unveiled at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre on 29 May 2009. Built by the custom bike specialists Orange County Choppers – featured on the Discovery Channel show "American Chopper" – the bike is used for community projects and awareness raising across the UAE. Paul Teutel Snr, star of American Chopper and founder of OCC, took part in a live action and film performance which culminated in the Falcon Bike taking to the stage.

Publications

999 Magazine

999 is a monthly magazine issued by the Ministry of Interior in the UAE since 1971. The magazine, known previously as ‘Al Shurta’, was relaunched under the new title of 999 in October 2008. 999 Magazine features news and interviews with staff members of the Ministry of Interior. The magazine is distributed in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Abu Dhabi SIXTY Years of Progress, 1957–2017

In 2017, to mark the 60th anniversary of Abu Dhabi Police, 215 page book was published chronicling the force from its inception to the present day.

Controversy

The Abu Dhabi Police allegedly assisted Sheikh Issa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a 2009 torture incident. The Police are also alleged to have used excessive force on critics and protesters.