1,000 residents to make capital safer
abu dhabi — A thousand residents in the capital are ready to don the mantle of community police in Abu Dhabi. This group of Emiratis and expats will work alongside Abu Dhabi Police to make the capital safer.
The volunteers, who have gone through specialised training, were felicitated and given special badges and jackets during a ceremony held on Monday at the Armed Officers Club.
The residents who enrolled as Community Police had to complete six separate training sessions — each lasting 30 minutes. They were trained to take pictures and report on crimes, keep an eye on suspicious activities, control traffic if there are accidents, initiate crowd-controlling measures during events, etc.
Indian expat Biju Vidyadharan said he is looking forward to do his bit to improve the safety of residents. “I am proud to be part of this initiative that will make my community safer and crimefree,” he said. The 30-year-old former Kerala policeman, who works for an Indian media publication, said he wanted to utilise his previous background to serve the UAE.
Community sherifs were also trained to use the We-Are-All-Police app and quickly report unlawful activities.
Vidyadharan said being part of the community police has already allowed him to help out with social issues.
“I recently came across a Facebook page which had violent and abusive language. I immediately took a screenshot and sent it to the app. The page was taken down the following day.”
By the inclusion of the general public in matters pertaining to their safety and security, we reinforce the belief that this responsibility is shared by all. Ali H. Al Madfaei, First-Lieutenant Engineer
following day.” Thomas K.V, 47, a safety officer who is part of the Community Police, said he is certain the training he received will help him improve social welfare. “If we witness anything dangerous or illegal like traffic violations or street fights, we can take pictures and send it through the app, along with the location so that the police will be able to quickly intervene,” said Thomas.
The Community Police initiative was launched in September 2016 by Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police. The top cop said it was imperative to engage all segments of society in law enforcement and allow residents of all nationalities and backgrounds to be given the opportunity to become the new sheriffs in town.
The scheme received an overwhelming response with as many as 5,665 residents applying to join.
The participation criteria included a minimum age of 18 years, no criminal record, an approval from Abu Dhabi Police, as well as maintaining the confidentiality of information given.
First-Lieutenant Engineer, Ali H. Al Madfaei, who works as a chemical, biological, radiological nuclear officer for Abu Dhabi Police, said the initiative would certainly help strengthen the trust between authorities and the society.
“By the inclusion of the general public in matters pertaining to their safety and security, we reinforce the belief that this responsibility is shared by all,” said Al Madfaei.
He said residents hold much more power than they would think when it comes to solving crime. “In many situations, the awareness and vigilance of the public proved to be an indispensable asset to the authorities for crime solving and information gathering.”