UAE police put through their paces with Belarus officers

Detecting counterfeit passports, identifying drug abuse and investigating drug-related crime scenes were some of many skills taught to UAE police officers in Minsk.

ABU DHABI // Police officers from the UAE were in Minsk, Belarus, this week to broaden their crime-fighting skills.

The delegation received training in counterfeit passport detection, drug crime investigation and interrogation techniques at a Academy of the Interior Ministry of the Republic of Belarus training centre for police.

“At present the exchange of information and experience between law-enforcement authorities from different parts of the world is very important for maintaining peace and stability,” said a spokesman at the embassy of Belarus in Abu Dhabi. “Belarus is the last border to the European Union and very successful in prevention of illegal migration. It is important to both countries to be aware of border security.”

Courses last between a week and two months.

“Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Minister of Interior, is someone who strongly believes in the value of knowledge training and education of the staff,” said Dr Mustafa Alani, head of security and terrorism at the Gulf Research Centre.

“He is personally involved in finding a way to educate his people, give them more qualifications and encourage research and courses.

“Drugs and human trafficking are international crimes. They could be committed in the UAE, but the source of the crimes could be somewhere else, so the knowledge and practice for these cross-border crimes are really important for the UAE.”

The emirates were a travel hub, so understanding and breaking the links between international criminal enterprises required tireless effort, he said.

Johan Obdola, president of the International Organisation for Security and Intelligence, a Canadian think tank with representatives in Dubai, said: “The UAE and the rest of the GCC region have been experiencing new and emerging complex criminal activities from Asia, Latin America and Africa, among others.

“Developing cooperation with law enforcement agencies from those nations and regions would provide better tools, strategies and intelligence in combating these security threats.”