ABU DHABI // A scheme in which Emiratis and expatriates can be trained to become community police officers was launched on Wednesday.
The We Are All Police initiative will allow hundreds of volunteers to be given training to liaise with the community and assist full-time police officers.
At a launch of the scheme on Wednesday at Adnec, Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, commander-in-chief of Abu Dhabi Police and a member of the Executive Council, said the programme aimed to ensure the security and safety of the society.
“Through this initiative we aim to engage a large number of individuals from the society in Abu Dhabi to preserve the past, present and future of the emirate because it’s collective responsibility of all people in the society,” he said.
With the population growing by an average of more than seven per cent per year, and with about 200 nationalities living here, it was essential to engage all parts of society.
The initiative aimed to make the community aware of their social responsibility and work with the government. It will be open for all nationalities, who can volunteer and can register online. They will then receive full training and be incorporated in the community policing.
There are currently 34,000 police officers in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
This represented about one police officer for every 81 people.
By 2021, the aim is to have more than 47,500 officers and We Are All Police community support officers — representing one officer for every 58 people.
The scheme will be modelled on a similar one in Tokyo, which has seen a drastic fall in crime rates since it was introduced.
Attending the launch of the scheme were Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and National Security Advisor, and Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
Maj Gen Al Romaithi said: “We are all police aims to support the nation and better serve the citizens and expatriates. It also aims to strengthen the security in Abu Dhabi and relations of individuals in the society.”
Locals and residents from all nationalities can register for the initiative at weareallpolice.ae or by calling 8001000.
So far, 311 people registered for the drive.
anwar@thenational.ae
