Female bodyguards at the VIP Protection unit of Dubai Police have recently undergone intensive training to hone their skills.
The 40 women who form the unit underwent three training sessions during the past three months and were tutored by experts from the UAE, France and Switzerland.
According to Lieutenant Masoud Ibrahim Al Hamad, the bodyguards have pro-ven their mettle during the training. "They underwent very difficult training but they all appeared to relish the challenge," he said.
Considered the only such professional women's unit in the Gulf the outfit was launched around 10 years ago to protect female VIP's who may not feel comfortable in the constant presence of male bodyguards.
Lt Al Hamad said that their first course was on shooting and was under the supervision of French experts. The second one was conducted by local experts during which they were taught abseiling.
This particular course, which took five weeks, was considered the first of its kind in the region. The third training course was on protection and shooting and was held under the supervision of Swiss experts.
Lt Al Hamad pointed out that the aim of the sessions was to challenge the participants and raise them to a high level of training so that they can meet their responsibility, which is to protect VIP women during important occasions. He pointed out that the training was gruelling and started very early in the morning, lasting until late in the evening.
"Even though the training was tough, none of the women complained. They proved that they can be up to highest international standards," Lt Al Hamad added.
"The bodyguards were taught the latest techniques used in protecting VIP's from attacks. They have also been taught how to deal with sniper fire and attacks on vehicles and how to escape such situations."
Gulf News
