An elite squad of women police officers is playing a pivotal role in guarding hundreds of VIPs visiting the emirate and providing security during high-profile events, Dubai Police said on Saturday.

Since 2015, officers at the Security Management and VIP Protection Agency at Dubai Police have guarded 523 personalities and provided security for more than a 1,000 events, including conferences, exhibitions and celebrations. The officers, both men and women, have been trained to “be ready for anything that might jeopardise the security of a person or event”, Brigadier Abdullah Al Gaithi, director of the Department of Administration and Emergency Security, said.

“Our officers undergo a rigorous training on a par with international standards. We use modern technology to provide simulation training which helps them be ready for any potential situation which puts a person’s or event’s security at risk.”

Brig Al Gaithi said Dubai Police ensure that security is a pillar of the community.

Lieutenant Colonel Obaid Bin Mubarak Yarouf, director of Security Management and VIP Protection Agency, said that the women of the department are picked based on a specific set of criteria. “The women in our department are on a par with the men as far as their professionalism and training is concerned,” he said. “Our women officers undergo rigorous fighting and shooting training to prepare them for any potential circumstances. They are also qualified to drive cars and motorbikes and can guard VIP personnel as well as any other male officer in our department. In fact, they get the position only after they’ve excelled in the training.”

Source :WAM