Female Dubai Police cadets juggle family commitments with life in uniform

Women candidates train as a part of a six-month programme at the Dubai Police Academy. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // As mum to three young boys, Asma Hashem Al Kaabi is used to laying down the law at home. When she isn’t keeping her family in check she is learning how to protect and serve her country as a cadet at the Dubai Police Academy.

The 26-year-old is one of more than 135 women who have enrolled at the academy this year. The female recruits, aged between 18 and 35, undergo an intense six-month training course involving daily 4.30am exercise sessions and lectures on the law and the role of the police, as well as how to handle firearms.

“I have three little boys between two and four who I have to take care of and who completely depend on me,” said Ms Al Kaabi, who is in the final month of her training. “Despite my obligations as a wife and mother, I still find a balance between my police life and civilian life. There is nothing that women cannot do.

“That said, my husband – who is a military man – and I run a tight ship. My children are in bed by 7pm.”

Cadet Jihan Hassan Ali also juggles family commitments with her life in uniform.

“The academy will open doors for me and provide me with different opportunities to serve my country,” said the 29-year-old, who is married to a police officer. “Even though I have three girls, I still am comfortable in finding the balance to take care of them and work.”

There are 1,378 cadets enrolled at the academy this year studying 11 training programmes.

“The academy is in no way just for men,” said Col Ghaith Al Suwaidi, the academy’s director. “We put a lot of focus on the women enrolled in the institution, because they have been part of the academy since its establishment in 1987.

“Women have always been a part of Dubai Police and have reached high ranks.”

Col Al Suwaidi said the academy also trained employees of government bodies, such as Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Customs and airport security, as well as security guards for private companies, such as hotels.

“The trainees take different kinds of classes, including how to properly search vehicles or areas, that would help them in their field of work,” he said. “They also learn conflict management and ways to deal with an emergency.”

About 30,000 security personnel have graduated from the Dubai Police Academy.

For Arwa Saleh Ali, 27, joining the police gave her the chance to serve her country.

“We not only want to serve our country, but we want to make sure to continue the journey our forefathers started when they established this nation,” she said. “The academy is our transition and transformation from civilians to women of the force.”

Fahima Ali Mohammad said the academy helped to prepare her for life as a police officer.

“I think we’re all here to prepare ourselves for the police life,” she said. “It is the duty of every Emirati citizen to strive to maintain the safety and security of their dear country, and I feel it’s a duty to protect our people without any hesitation and with pride.”

Salwa Mohammad Ahmed added: “We women are here to mark our presence and to achieve one of the sayings of Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid [Vice President and Ruler of Dubai], which is to be number one.”