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SCC pulls up police for poor 999 service

SHARJAH — Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) has criticised the Sharjah Police for the latter’s poor response to 999, the emergency number to call the police.

During the SCC session on Wednesday, members of the Council said the number 999 rarely answered to calls from the public. To add to it, there have been reports of the police talking very rudely with the non-Arabic speaking callers, the members added.

The SCC members also highlighted the delay in responding to emergencies, particularly in case of traffic accidents, by the Sharjah Police.

The police efforts in curbing car thefts and drug abuse by teenagers were among the other main issues discussed at the SCC session.

The members discussed the situation at the Sharjah Jail, which is overcrowded with inmates due to lack of space.

The SCC also rapped the police on various security issues, including the failure to curb illegal infiltration, lack of efforts in implementing Emiratisation, failure to check traffic accidents caused by heavy vehicles, and lack of sufficient patrolling in Kalba, Khorfakkan and other parts of the eastern region.

The SCC session was also attended by Brigadier Ali Nasser Al Fardan, Deputy Director of Sharjah Police and the heads of the directorates of the police department.

In response to the issues raised by the SCC members, Brig. Al Fardan said the police were facing great challenges due to the increasing population in the emirate.

He said the Sharjah Police had, in fact, improved the security situation in 2006. The number of Anjad patrol cars, he pointed out, had been increased. “Besides, operation rooms will be set up soon in Kalba, Khorfakkan and Dibba. There are also plans for installing surveillance cameras and increasing the number of ambulances in these areas,” he noted.

As for the 999 number, Brig. Al Fardan stressed the Sharjah Police were making all efforts to improve the service by increasing the number of officers in the operation room and providing them with better public service training. “However, some of the people call this number for silly reasons,” he said.

With regard of Emiratisation, Brig Al Fardan said the UAE women were not keen on undergoing military training, which is one of the main conditions to join the police services. “This results in poor presence of UAE women in the police force,” he pointed out.

As for the efforts in cracking down on illegal infiltrators, Brig Al Hadeedi said the police were raiding old houses in Dibba Al Hisan areas and arrested those who were not possessing proper documents.

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