DUBAI // Dubai Police Academy has qualified for an internationally recognised university ranking system.
The police training institution has been validated by QS University Rankings in the Arab region. Its ranking will be published next month, when the QS will announce the top 100 schools in the Arab world.
Ranking analysis for the academy has yet to be completed.
“We have already taken the first step and applied to be considered in a world ranking system,” said Lt Col Saif Al Suwaidi, dean of the academy.
“Our goal is to be one of the top ranking schools in the region and the world.
“We currently have 11 programmes, and we will add three more in September.”
Last year, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, in Saudi Arabia, ranked first, followed by the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and King Saud University in Saudi Arabia.
United Arab Emirates University made the top 10, in sixth position, followed by American University of Sharjah in seventh.
Lt Col Al Suwaidi said that about 800 people apply to the police academy, in Al Sufouh, each year, of which only 80 are chosen to enrol.
He said the academy puts great emphasis on education as well as teaching cadets how to properly implement legal and policing procedures.
“We also train our future police officers how to properly deal with civilians, whether they are issuing a fine, arresting a suspect or dealing with a victim,” said Lt Col Al Suwaidi.
“There are people who may not be used to dealing with authorities, and get scared or nervous, so we teach our cadets to deal with the public in different cases.”
During interrogations, for example, cadets are trained to keep the person being questioned comfortable, he said, adding that the academy also offers training on human rights in the line of police work.
“Everyone has rights, whether Emirati or expat, whether suspect or victim, whether they are detained or not. If that is something that officers do not understand, they simply do not pass,” said Lt Col Al Suwaidi.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae