A total of 83 wanted criminals were nabbed in 18 months by the Dubai Police bicycle patrols, revealed Maj-Gen Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Criminal Investigation Affairs.
The 26-member squad - established just 18 months ago by Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police - was able to prevent potential crimes, and contribute to the arrest of residency violators and promoters of counterfeit goods who hide in residential and touristic alleys.
Maj-Gen Al Mansouri pointed out that the Dubai Police established a bicycle division to enable the police to be present in all areas and internal and crowded roads, maintain security, prevent crime, protect public property, and save lives. He pointed out that the Dubai Police deal with over 200 nationalities of different cultures, which requires professionalism and the search for more innovative and accurate methods to enhance the level of safety in our community.
First Lieutenant Mohammed Aman Al Zarooni, head of bicycle patrols, explained that the cycling teams consisted of 26 personnel and four reservists, dispatched across several vital and crowded areas - La Mer, City Walk, Deira Souk, Bur Dubai, JBR, Al Muraqqabat, and Al Raqqa. They are also present at many sessional events and initiatives such as the Global Village and the Dubai Horse Racing.
Lt Al Zarouni added that members of the unit joined many courses to qualify them for specialised tasks, including courses in self-defence, crowd control and public order, first aid, firefighting, using taser guns, monitoring violations, CPR, shooting while moving on the bicycles, and descending on stairs. They are also required to undergo different refresher courses every three months, and to cycle for long distances not less than 20km to maintain their fitness.
Brig Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, director of the general department of criminal investigations, added the Dubai Police bicycle patrols, affiliated with the crime prevention department, carried out a campaign in the Umm Suqeim area to achieve a zero crime rate. "In collaboration and cooperation with the tourism police department, the Dubai Police members provided visitors of various nationalities with awareness brochures and gifts. The campaign also included engaging and activities and competitions interacted with the public," he said.
Must know
1-Intuitive skills crucial
It crucial for police bikers to have accurate security intuitions and the skills to read the body language of offenders and fugitives, said policeman Ahmad Al Saadi, from Al Muraqqabat police station.
Al Saadi recalled being in Al Muraqqabat area when he and his teammates spotted two Asians walking suspiciously around shops wearing backpacks. "We stopped them and inspected their backpacks, and found robbery tools and bolt cutters. Investigations showed that they were planning on robbing one of the neighbouring shops," he said.
Al Saadi added that Dubai Police bicycle patrols, with the assistance of security personnel at the Burj Khalifa area, were able to find an eight-year-old child and return him to his mother in record time despite the dense crowd in the area. He said such great achievements are always attributed to the unified efforts and reliable communication between the police and society.
2-Unique security approach
It was very easy for Corporal Rashid Salim, from Naif Police Station, who joined the Dubai Police bicycle patrols after years of serving for vehicle patrols, to spot the difference between both security approaches. "The nature of reports received by regular patrols differs, in type and seriousness, from those received by the bicycle patrols. We have the advantage to move across narrow alleys and unpaved streets" he explained.
Remininsing about his experiences, Corporal Salim said that a Saudi national stopped them in the downtown area and sought the Dubai Police bicycle patrols' help after he had lost his four-year-old child. "We gathered details and the description of the boy from the father, and initiated a search operation. Having the advantage of being able to manoeuvre swiftly across the area, we located the child within 30 minutes and handed him over to his father who was extremely overwhelmed with our timely response," he recalled.
3-Cool gadgets for patrols
Corporal Jassim Al Razi from Bur Dubai Police Station, said the Dubai Police bicycles are equipped with smart communication technologies that enable them to exchange information quickly and track locations. He noted that the government communication department had provided the Dubai Police bicycles patrols with smart maps supported by important database on each region.
He added that the teams carry a number of gadgets including a German-made taser gun that has a seven-metre range; a smart helmet that helps the team stay connected with the central operating room to facilitate immediate connection in case of reporting incidents or calling for backup; a pair of smart gloves with turning indicators to warn other road users when riders wish to change their course from one track to another; and a waterproof, night vision, smart camera that live broadcasts the situation to the operating room.
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