The Dubai Police Museum at the force's headquarters in Al Twar 1 traces the history of the force. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Dubai Police Museum at the force's headquarters in Al Twar 1 traces the history of the force. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Dubai Police Museum at the force's headquarters in Al Twar 1 traces the history of the force. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Dubai Police Museum at the force's headquarters in Al Twar 1 traces the history of the force. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Timeframe: Dubai Police marks 67th anniversary of founding


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai Police turns 67 this month.

The force was founded on June 1, 1956, in the Naif area of Deira. Its headquarters were in Naif Fort, a structure that has since been repurposed as a museum. While Dubai Police now has tens of thousands of sworn members, the force began with just 29 officers.

It grew incrementally over the years, increasing to 430 members within a decade. Dubai Police now has branches throughout the emirate, with its current headquarters in Al Twar 1 on Al Ittihad Road. A museum in the headquarters traces the development of the force.

  • The sign for the Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The sign for the Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The outside of the Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The outside of the Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The inside of the Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The inside of the Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Old police uniforms on display at Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Old police uniforms on display at Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A mannequin dressed in an old Dubai Police uniform. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A mannequin dressed in an old Dubai Police uniform. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Old police uniforms on display at Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Old police uniforms on display at Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Pictures of members of the Dubai Police force over the years on display at the museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Pictures of members of the Dubai Police force over the years on display at the museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Instruments used in the Dubai Police Marching Band. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Instruments used in the Dubai Police Marching Band. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Military and technical equipment hall at Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Military and technical equipment hall at Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Some of the items on display at the Military and technical equipment hall in Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Some of the items on display at the Military and technical equipment hall in Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A box used by criminals in attempts to smuggle drugs into the country. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A box used by criminals in attempts to smuggle drugs into the country. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The general command hall in Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The general command hall in Dubai Police Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Peter H Clayton was Dubai Police’s first commander-in-chief. A member of the Trucial Oman Levies, later the Trucial Oman Scouts, Clayton was stationed in the Emirates between 1954 and 1957.

Clayton was said to have been fluent in Arabic and went by the name Sultan bin Hamis. He was a close friend of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late Founding Father of the UAE.

Dubai Police has had six commanders-in-chief since then, including Peter George Lorimer, Jack Briggs, Abdullah Belhoul, Dhahi Khalfan Tamim and Khamis Mattar Al Mezaina. The force is currently led by Lt Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, who assumed the position of commander-in-chief in 2017.

Dubai Police is well known for its fleet of supercars, including a $2 million Bugatti Veyron. EPA
Dubai Police is well known for its fleet of supercars, including a $2 million Bugatti Veyron. EPA

From humble beginnings, Dubai Police has grown into a pioneering force in the region – particularly in its use of cutting-edge technology.

It was among the first to introduce DNA testing, electronic finger printing as well as other modern law-enforcement methods. It also led the way in using GPS technology to locate stolen vehicles.

The force is also known for its co-operation with law enforcement agencies around the world. Famously, it is also known for its fleet of supercars, including a $2 million Bugatti Veyron.

Dubai Police has also spoken about introducing robots to its police force, as well as a police station that won’t require human personnel. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the force used drones in the Naif area to clamp down on illegal activity.

The force has also achieved fame for its athletic efforts. Its cycling team, founded under the leadership of Belhoul in 1977, has participated in races around the world and has won several awards.

Most recently, its first all-women Swat team competed against the world’s best in the annual UAE Swat Challenge. The female force was made up of jiu-jitsu champions, keen-eyed sharpshooters and officers chosen to protect A-list celebrities.

UAE players with central contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.

Other ways to buy used products in the UAE

UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.

Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.

Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.

For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.

Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.

At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
About%20My%20Father
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELaura%20Terruso%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20De%20Niro%2C%20Sebastian%20Maniscalco%2C%20Kim%20Cattrall%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Surianah's top five jazz artists

Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.  

Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.

Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.

Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.

Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Updated: June 02, 2023, 6:01 PM