Dubai Police holds survey to assess officers' conduct

Dubai Police bosses are keeping an eye on their officers to ensure they behave in an appropriate manner while dealing with the public.

The initiative follows an incident in which an officer slapped an Indian motorist three months ago. Dubai Police Chief Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim warned that the officer involved might be fired for manhandling the driver, who had been involved in a minor road accident.

Now, in an attempt to avoid such embarrassing incidents, the police force is carrying out an in-depth survey to learn how its officers behave in the public.

Sources told Emirates Business citizens and residents would be asked how they are treated at police stations, at the scenes of motor accidents or on other occasions.

Dubai Police, which employs several thousand people in various roles, hopes the move will improve people's opinion of the force.

The survey is being carried out through a number of channels, including self-service electronic kiosks at shopping malls and other public places.

The survey encourages people to share their experiences that would go a long way in improving policing in the emirate. They are asked questions about behaviour, attitude and professionalism of police officers and whether the policemen treat them with respect and dignity.

People are also asked if they learned anything from an officer's behaviour and attitude that would help them feel more secure in future, whether the officer promised to contact or offer them help and whether the officer followed up on his actions as promised.

Respondents can answer "yes", "no" or "not applicable".

Lt-Gen Tamim said the aggressive behaviour of the officer, who hit the motorist, was unacceptable.

Hassan Abdul Hamid Edelbi, a cartoonist with Arabic newspaper Al Bayan, was felicitated by Dubai Police for reporting the incident.

One expatriate said: "Generally officers are quite polite and good. However, it is a very good step on the part of Dubai Police to conduct a survey about the behaviour of officers using electronic kiosks and other channels. People can participate in the survey and express their opinions without any inhibitions."


QUESTIONS

Here are are some of the questions Dubai residents are being asked during the survey to study police officers' conduct. 

- How was your experience with the police?

- Was the behaviour of the police officer who contacted you professional?

- Did the officer deal with you properly and fairly?

- Did the officer listen to your point of view or your side of the story?

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