DUBAI: The Dubai Police General Command has revealed the agenda of the sessions and themes of the second edition of the World Police Summit, which is hosted by the force under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai World Trade Centre from March 7-9.
The three-day summit aims to bring together an elite of police, security leaders and law enforcement officials, and experts worldwide to share knowledge and experience, discuss the most significant global challenges in combating crime, and discuss ways to enhance safety in our respective societies.
This came during a press conference held at the Dubai Police Innovation Lab, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Major General Abdul Quddus Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidly, Assistant to Commander-in-Chief for Excellence and Pioneering Affairs; Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM); Brigadier Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al Mualla, Director of the General Department of Excellence and Pioneering at Dubai Police, Dr. Colonel Abdul Rahman Sharaf Al Maamari, Deputy Director of Hemaya International Centre at the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, and a number of directors of general departments and police stations, officers, and media representatives.
Communication Technology
At the beginning of his statement, Dr. Maj. Gen. Abdul Quddus Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidly pointed out that transnational organised crime can take many forms and is constantly evolving, especially those associated with technology, and criminals have become more skilled at hiding their dangerous criminal activities while they are thousands of miles away from victims.
“This requires effective responses grounded in strengthening international cooperation between police and security agencies and law enforcement agencies, as well as developing new swift communication channels for rapid cooperation and intelligence exchange,” he said.
100th Year
Al Obaidly added, “We always strive, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Interior, to consolidate our cooperative efforts with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), who is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, to support its efforts in combating and preventing organised crime, and to further contribute to coordination and communication operations between active police agencies across the world.”
He reaffirmed that during the World Police Summit, experts, police leaders and law enforcement officials would discuss the most resilient and innovative methods in police work to implement best practices in combating organised crime and keep pace with the most sophisticated criminal techniques.
Innovation & Resilience
Al Obaidly also explained that the ‘Innovation & Resilience in Police Work’ conference features various topics, including road safety and security, innovation and technology and factors affecting their adoption across global police agencies, organisational agility, gender balance, and quality management.
Drones
Brigadier Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al Mualla, Director of the General Department of Excellence and Pioneering at Dubai Police, pointed out that drones are becoming a crucial tool in supporting law enforcement efforts. “From front-line operations to surveillance, drones are helping police forces tackle a wide range of tasks. During the World Police Summit, law enforcement officials and experts will explore the latest advancements in unmanned aerial systems and their impact on various police missions, including emergency response and crime scene investigation,” he said.
K9
Brig. Sheikh Mohammad Al Mualla also indicated that the World Police Summit’s K9 Conference will bring together top canine experts from around the world to share and showcase proven training and handling strategies for law enforcement. “Senior police officials will have a great opportunity to gain insights into the latest technologies and innovations that can improve K9 training programs, enhance their senses, and support the proper breeding of police dogs.
Technology Exhibition
He also stated that the summit includes six conferences: Innovation & Resilience in Police Work, Forensic Sciences, Prevent Crime, Drug Control, Drones, and Police Dogs Conference.
The summit will also include an international exhibition showcasing pioneering technologies that enhance police and security work.
Anti-Narcotics conference
Dr. Colonel Abdul Rahman Sharaf Al Maamari, Deputy Director of Hemaya International Centre, indicated that the anti-narcotics conference will bring together key stakeholders to engage in high-level discussions on the complexities of the drug trade across economies and explore innovative programs to raise community awareness of the dangers of psychotropic substances, address addiction, and support rehabilitation. He also pointed out that the fight against drug trafficking and abuse requires a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies, police forces, governments, and public health organisations to raise awareness and prevent addiction in communities.
Roadpol
During the press conference, Brig. Sheikh Mohammad Al Mualla also revealed that in conjunction with the World Police Summit, Dubai will be hosting the ‘Roadpol 2023 Spring Meeting’ of European Roads Policing Network (Roadpol), which is being held for the first time outside Europe from March 4-6.
“The meeting will gather Roadpol Council members, traffic police officers from various European countries, and task forces specialised in road safety and security operations and technology, to discuss ways to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Europe’s roads,” he added.
Crime Prevention
Lt. Col. Rashid Al Muaini, Deputy Director of the Crime Prevention Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation (CID), said that the crime prevention conference will provide a high-level platform to examine the immediate priorities facing police forces and law enforcement agencies in the wake of shifting crime forms, the availability and access to sophisticated technologies, and altering criminal motives.
“The conference will delve into the latest techniques and technologies in the fight against crime, including focused tracks on crime and criminal justice, financial crime and anti-money laundering, and cybercrime which will facilitate the development of future-proofed strategies to enhance public safety,” he continued.
Forensic Science Conference
Dr. Expert Major Rashid Al Mansouri, from the General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, pointed out that advances in forensic science play a crucial role in driving progress across numerous industries, including law enforcement. “The World Police Summit’s Forensic Science conference will bring together international experts, scientists, and researchers to showcase the latest scientific and technical developments in the field,” he added.
Communication Networks
On the sidelines of the press conference, His Excellency Expert Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation, highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships between law enforcement agencies worldwide and improving communication networks and cooperation mechanisms for exchanging intelligence and expertise. He emphasised that such efforts are essential to effectively combat drug trafficking, smuggling, and promotion.
He said: “Drug trafficking syndicates constantly introduce new methods for smuggling and promoting their toxins, some highly complex and subtle.”
He also noted that one of the emerging methods used by traffickers is smuggling drugs in liquid form and then converting them into a solid state once they reach the final destination.
Fruitful International Cooperation
Al Mansouri stressed the importance of organising and holding regional and global conferences, such as the World Police Summit, to discuss drug control issues and enhance international cooperation and coordination between police leaders and law enforcement agencies through the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
209 International Fugitives
Al Mansouri also revealed that over the last three years, the Dubai Police, in cooperation with liaison officers, has passed on 653 vital security tips to 43 countries, which has resulted in the arrest of 209 international fugitives and the seizure of 12 tons and 773 kilograms of drugs with an estimated street value of 143,391,610 dirhams.
He also cited specific examples of international cooperation, including the Dubai Police’s work with Canadian authorities, which led to the seizure of 2.5 tons of opium with a value of over 50 million Canadian dollars hidden within 247 shipping pallets of 19 shipping containers.
Al Mansouri emphasised that uniting international efforts and strengthening communication networks between law enforcement agencies are the only ways to combat organised crime across borders, which will be a focus of discussion at the upcoming World Police Summit 2023.
The Fight Against Crime
Al Mansouri confirmed that police and security work is an integrated work between all its sectors. Therefore, the summit addresses various challenges to combat crime and enhance safety through its conferences. “The ‘Forensic Science’ Conference will feature the DNA data privacy and security challenges and the ability to handle large and complex data sets,” he concluded.
World Police Summit
The World Police Summit is a major international event that brings together leaders and experts from the law enforcement and security community. It features more than 150 targeted sessions that advance policing techniques to serve communities in today’s world, focusing on a number of main themes including:
- Crime Prevention and Cybercrime;
- Police Innovation;
- Transport Safety;
- Police Resilience;
- Forensic Science.
