How Dubai Police's bicycle squad arrested 83 wanted criminals in 18 months

Their rapid movement, mobility, and prompt response to reports are the most prominent features of the teams.

The 26-member Dubai Police bicycle patrols have been able to arrest 83 wanted criminals, prevent potential crimes, and contribute to the arrest of residency violators and promoters of counterfeit goods who hide in residential and touristic alleys.
Their rapid movement, mobility, and prompt response to reports are the most prominent features of the teams who contributed to finding lost children and uniting them with their parents in record time, as well as carrying out social tasks and engaging in community events to serve community members and visitors of tourist areas.
Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, has praised Dubai Police bicycle patrols for they have demonstrated high efficiency and performance thanks to their high fitness levels and professional training.
He also lauded their keenness to enhance the security and safety of the emirate of Dubai, and their valued contribution in establishing the reputation of Dubai Police in providing quality services to the public.
The Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police confirmed that the establishment of bicycle teams, as field police patrols roaming the streets of the Emirate of Dubai, comes within the framework of reinforcing the strategic objectives of Dubai Police, namely, "Community Happiness", "Safe City" and "Innovation in Institutional Capacity".
In addition to the Dubai Police Strategy for Sustainable Development serving the UAE Vision 2021 and the Dubai Plan 2021, to make the Emirate of Dubai the safest, most secure and sustainable city.
"Dubai has become a global tourist destination attracting millions of visitors annually, and we are keen to achieve pioneering positions in all fields," Maj-Gen Al Marri added. 
83 wanted criminals in 18 months
For his part, Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Criminal Investigation Affairs, revealed that the cycling squad managed to arrest 83 wanted criminals in 18 months.
He added that last year, the team carried out a campaign in cooperation with the Tourism Police Department in Umm Suqeim area near Burj Al Arab to achieve a zero crime rate which has succeeded in realising the required indicator during the specified period.
Maj-Gen Al Mansouri pointed out that Dubai Police, to enhance the sense of stability and tranquillity of individuals, have established a bicycle division to enable the police to be present in all areas and internal and crowded roads, maintain security, prevent crime, protect public property, and save lives.
He pointed out that the Dubai Police deal with more than 200 nationalities of different cultures, which requires professionalism and the search for more innovative and accurate methods to enhance the level of safety in our community.
Security services 
Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, director of the General Department of Criminal Investigations, said that Dubai Police aim to provide high-quality security services that stand to the reputation of Dubai Police as a world-class police force. 
Brigadier Al Jallaf pointed out that last year the Dubai Police Bicycle Patrols, affiliated with the Crime Prevention Department, carried out a campaign in the Umm Suqeim area to achieve a zero crime rate. "In collaboration and cooperation with the Tourism Police Department, Dubai Police members provided visitors of various nationalities with awareness brochures and gifts," "the campaign also included engaging and activities and competitions interacted with the public," Brigadier Al Jallaf added.
26 heroes  
The Head of Bicycle Patrols, First Lieutenant Mohammed Aman Al Zarooni, explained that Dubai Police have always been proactive in offering constructive, sophisticated and distinctive ideas that enhance the emirate's overall security and safety, hence the purpose of establishing a bicycle patrols division was sought by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police who believed that such units would help to boost the sense of safety and security among residents especially in places which are not easily accessible for police patrols.
Intensive Training 
Lt. Al Zarouni added that members of the unit joined many courses to qualify them for specialised tasks, including courses in self-defence, crowd control and public order, first aid, firefighting, using taser guns, monitoring violations, CPR, shooting while moving on the bicycles, and descending on stairs. They are also required to undergo different refresher courses every three months, and to cycle for long distances not less than 20 kilometres to maintain their fitness.
Unique experience
It was very easy for Corporal Rashid Salim, from Naif Police Station, who joined the Dubai Police Bicycle Patrols after years of serving for vehicle patrols, to spot the difference between both security approaches. "The nature of reports received by regular patrols differs, in type and seriousness, from those received by the bicycle patrols." "We receive less serious reports and geographically limited as we have the advantage to move across narrow alleys and unpaved streets" Corporal Salim explained. 
According to Corporal Salim, it is essential for bicycle patrol members to introduce themselves to guards and security personnel in residential areas, and to exchange channels of communication with them. "We also rely on having a vital connection with the command and control centre at the Dubai Police General HQ, as this speeds the response and provides necessary assistance when needed," Corporal Salim added.
Lost child found
Corporal Salim said that a Saudi national stopped them in the downtown area and sought the Dubai Police Bicycle Patrols' help after he had lost his four-year-old child. "We gathered some details and the description of the boy from the father, and we immediately initiated a search operation," "Having the advantage of being able to manoeuvre and move swiftly across the area, we located the child in just 30 minutes hand him over to his father who was extremely overwhelmed with our timely response" Salim recalled.
Violators apprehended 
Corporal Salim added that the nature of Dubai Police Bicycle Patrols' work enables them to seize vendors who specialise in selling and smuggling counterfeit goods. 
Policeman Ahmad Al Saadi, from Al Muraqqabat Police Station, said it crucial for police bikers to have accurate security intuitions and the skills to read the body language of offenders and fugitives.
Al Saadi explained that vendors promoting illegal or counterfeit goods usually hide in the inner alleys or narrow streets, which makes it difficult for regular police patrols to reach them.
Foiling a robbery 
Policeman Al Saadi recalled being in Al Murraqabt area when he and his teammates spotted two Asians walking suspiciously around shops wearing backpacks. "We stopped them and inspected their backpacks, and we found robbery tools and bolt cutters" "Investigations showed that they were planning on robbing one of the neighbouring shops" Al Saadi explained.
Lost in crowd.found by Dubai Police
Policeman Al-Saadi added that Dubai Police bicycle patrols, with the assistance of security personnel at the Burj Khalifa area, were able to find an eight-year-old child and return him to his mother in record time despite the dense crowd in the area. Al Saadi said such great achievements are always attributed to the unified efforts and reliable communication between the police and society.
Cool Gadgets 
Corporal Jassim Al Razi from Bur Dubai Police Station, said Dubai Police bicycles are equipped with some smart devices and communication technologies that enable them to exchange information quickly and track locations through smart applications. He noted that the Department of Government Communication had provided Dubai Police Bicycles Patrols with a smart map supported with an important database on each region. 
He added that the members of the teams carry a number of gadgets including a German-made taser gun "TASER X2" that has a seven-metre range; a smart helmet that helps the team stay connected at all times, and to have direct connection with the central operating room to facilitate immediate connection in case of reporting incidents or calling for backup; a pair of smart gloves with turning indicators to warn other road users when riders wish to change their course from one track to another; and a waterproof, night vision, smart camera that live broadcasts the situation to the operating room.

• Dubai