RAK Police receive 8,777 non-emergency calls in 2015

Ras Al Khaimah - 216,217 calls were received through emergency toll number 999 in 2015

Though dedicated for emergency reports only, the Ras Al Khaimah Police received 8,777 non-emergency calls out of a total of 216,217 calls received through its emergency toll number (999) in 2015.
Brigadier Ghanim Ahmed Ghanim, Director-General of the Central Operations Room, said they handle hundreds of thousands of calls every year - an enormous task that requires totally alert staff round the clock. "Thus it is frustrating to receive this big number of disturbing calls which amounted to 8,777 last year."
This is not the only challenge, he added. "Out of 216,217 phone calls received on the emergency toll (999) last year, 87,521 were by mistake, and that too, is a huge waste of time."
The Central Operations Room handles all types of reports, be they criminal, humanitarian, or traffic accidents, let alone other general inquiries which are referred to the bodies concerned, he elaborated.
"The room, for example received 2,759 calls on crimes, 38,414 on traffic accidents, and 25 on child accidents last year," he said.
To handle this large number of calls and reports, major advancements have been introduced to the central operations room, and a new work plan has been adopted to provide the best services to the public, Brig Ghanim underlined.
"We are all set to instantly respond to the reports and calls received in collaboration with the bodies concerned, and reach the accident site as fast as possible."
The operations room has been equipped with the latest surveillance cameras and technological devices, and more importantly, trained human resources, Brig Ghanim noted. "We are adopting an intensive training plan here in the room to develop and enhance policemen's skills, and provide the best services to the public."
However, the room is still facing some challenges in terms of the huge number of reports, and the reporter's inability to convey the exact location of the accident, he pointed out.
"These are apart from irrelevant and disturbing calls made by irresponsible people, and those are divided into two categories: intentionally and unintentionally disturbing, and are dealt with accordingly."
Should any disturbing call be received repetitively, the person concerned is referred to the concerned police department to take legal action against him or her, Brig. Ghanim warned.
"The RAK Police has dedicated two phone numbers for inquiries and non-urgent issues. These are 072356600 and 072356611. The number 999 may only be dialed in case of emergency and important reports. This will help save time and effort."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah