Community police, the new sheriffs in town
ABU DHABI // Stopping fights, controlling concert crowds and directing traffic after an accident – it’s all in a day’s work for Abu Dhabi community police. A thousand members of the public have completed training and will soon be a common sight on the streets as first responders, traffic watchers and helpers at major public events.
The We Are All Police drive has elicited a huge response from the public since its launch in September, with another 5,000 applicants to be processed. Members – expatriate and Emirati – are given badges and high-visibility jackets.
Humaid Al Kalbani, from the We Are All Police division, said the public had shown huge interest: “Our graduated members are very active and happy about what they are doing.
“We Are All Police members are signing up for their community and their people.” He said men and women of any nationality could apply to join, as long as they were over the age of 18 and had a valid residency visa.
Recruits receive five 30-minute workshops after which they graduate.
“The training is not physical, it is lectures to educate members about how to deal with different situations – manage traffic, make reports and differentiate right from wrong,” Mr Al Kalbani said.
The programme includes an application for officers. “Members can take photos of anything they would like to report and send it through the app. If we have a big event and need volunteers, we will contact them through the app. “Once a member, We are All Police officers can direct traffic if a signal stops working, have the authority to stop a fight and talk to the people involved or report incidents through the app if they need assistance.
“Abu Dhabi Police will receive the report and location and act accordingly.”
Gerald Baudrillard, 46, a podiatrist from France, is among the first batch of graduates and is keen to make the roads a safer place.
“There is a lot of bad driving and sometimes you see children unsafe in the car,” Mr Baudrillard said. “Until now, when I tried explaining to people how unsafe their driving was, they would not listen.
“Now I can tell them I am a member of We Are All Police and I could report them if they refuse to drive safely. “We were told the membership card can be used to assist or talk to people if there is an accident or fight, until the police arrive. We can also brief the police on their arrival.”
Shreyas Lale, 41, from India, said: “If there is a fire, or any situation that may cause harm to the community, I am now able to know how to approach it in the right way, to ensure everyone is safe.”
Mr Al Kalbani said the role of the officers was valuable. “If members do exceptional work their efforts will be taken into consideration and be highlighted at the end of the year.”
Residents can sign up for the initiative at weareallpolice.ae.