The 4th Gulf Information Security Exhibition and Conference saw the Dubai police introduce a robocop. Anna Nielsen for The National
The 4th Gulf Information Security Exhibition and Conference saw the Dubai police introduce a robocop. Anna Nielsen for The National

Collaboration is the key to the future of policing



The international community must work together to address a surge in transnational organised crime networks. Collaboration, based on a distinct set of procedures, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, as well as technology and planning is of the utmost importance for the future of policing.

While technology, such as robotics and drones, has been helping police forces worldwide reduce crime rates, tragic events have shown that aggregated expertise and cumulative insight make it much easier to tackle security challenges.

The UAE is keen to play a key role in the development of a cohesive global strategy that will ensure the safety and security of the international community and, by extension,its own population.

It has demonstrated its commitment to the Interpol project – Foundation for a Safer World – supporting seven projects, including counter-terrorism, reducing vehicle crime, protecting vulnerable communities, safeguarding cultural heritage, targeting illicit drug trade, preventing trafficking in illegal goods and fighting cybercrime.

This endeavour is a good example of the kind of collaborative effort that is required.

Furthermore, globalisation has led to a marked increase in the number of legal and illegal travellers. With tourism as well as the free movement of goods making significant contributions to the economy, the need to strengthen border controls is now more pressing than ever.

Without proper monitoring, the UAE could become vulnerable to crimes such as smuggling and trafficking.

In this context, border controls across the region have adopted new technologies, such as the retinal scan, that speed up passport control while serving as trusted and reliable verification methods.

Another issue that has troubled the UAE is the high rate of vehicle crime, often resulting in fatalities, due to widespread recklessness among motorists, especially when it comes to observing the speed limits.

The Ministry of Interior and the Criminal Investigation Department have put a host of technologies to good use with the aim of discouraging drivers from speeding.

Combined with stiff penalties for transgressors, a profusion of speed radars, traffic enforcement cameras, licence plate detection cameras and face recognition scanners has that the UAE has reached a new and high level in smart safety measures. Moreover, just as technology is changing the nature of police work, it is also changing the skills and qualifications sought after in security professionals.

Police officers, firefighters and security personnel must, therefore, be proficient in utilising front-line technology if they want to retain a competitive edge. Technology alone is not the answer, but neither is the human dimension. The key to the future of policing lies in skilfully combining the two.

Next year, experts from the global and national security sector will convene at the eighth International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience, ISNR Abu Dhabi 2018. Organised by the Ministry of Interior, the conference will consider a number of topics, such as the future of policing, border control industry standards, artificial intelligence in relation to crime prediction, virtual reality simulations, smart devices and connected technologies and many others.

The need to exchange know-how and expertise is as crucial as ever.

Meline Eolmezian-Soulie is group exhibition director of the security and safety portfolio at Reed Exhibitions

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).