From Fort to Future: How Dubai Police Evolved into a Smart AI-Driven Force

Dubai started setting up a world-class police force before the UAE was ever established. Dubai’s founding police, the Dubai Police, started on June 1, 1956, housed in the historic Naif Fort in Deira. Seven decades after its founding, Dubai Police now relies on AI and other advanced technology, but still holds on to its history.

The force was established in Dubai by a decree from Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, son of Ruler Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum and its first commander-in-chief was British national Peter Clayton, who could speak Arabic and was known for dressing like a Bedouin. At the start, the police based their operation in Naif Fort, since the fort contained all the necessary offices, stables for patrol horses and cells for temporary prisoners. Detainees were tied up using a log technique referred to as ‘Al Hataba’.

In 1973, the headquarters was relocated to Al Twar, where it remains as the current location of Dubai Police. Even so, the idea of the first Naif Fort was never lost. At the start of the 1990s, the fort was restored by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and it has since opened as the Naif Police Station with the Naif Museum, where interactive exhibits tell history of Dubai’s police force.

There are now more than 15,000 officers in the Dubai Police, 12 traditional stations and more than 25 Smart Police Stations (SPS) which provide round-the-clock services without any officers being present. Using AI, these centers provide help with reports and community work and sometimes even at drive-thru stations.

There are more changes involved than just new transport stations. Today, rescue drones, sonic scanners and patrol robots contribute to activities done on location. Self-driven electric cars patrol the area and machines in AI look for trouble signs on the internet.

While using modern tech, the force’s main goal remains the safety and security of the public. Dubai Police has advanced from a simple clay fort to using AI in its policing.