Chinese police officers praise Dubai Police leadership programme for advancing innovation and international cooperation

Dubai: Two Chinese police officers have highlighted the knowledge, practical experience and international connections they gained during the Policing Innovation and International Leadership (PIL) Diploma, praising Dubai Police’s approach to combining advanced technology, professional training and forward-looking policing practices. Police Superintendent Class 1 Wang Ji Rong, from the People’s Public Security University of China, and First Class Police Officer Zhou Xumin, from the Yangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau in Jiangsu Province, China, joined officers from around the world in the specialised programme organised by Dubai Police in collaboration with Rabdan Academy. For Wang, joining PIL was an opportunity to broaden his policing knowledge and learn from initiatives developed in other countries. Zhou was similarly drawn by the programme’s international dimension and the opportunity to experience Dubai’s policing model first-hand. “I was motivated by the opportunity to learn from one of the world’s most innovative police forces and to build international connections with fellow law enforcement professionals from across the globe,” Zhou said. Learning from each other Both officers said the programme’s value extended beyond formal lessons to the exchange of knowledge among participants. Wang identified decision-making as one of the most valuable subjects for his professional development. He also highlighted the group discussions, which allowed officers to “share our experiences with each other and learn fresh policing measures” from their international colleagues. For Zhou, the relationships established during PIL were among its greatest outcomes. “The most valuable aspect of the programme was forming deep friendships with police officers from around the world,” he said. “These connections have laid a solid foundation for future international police cooperation.” Tactical precision The practical elements of the programme also made a strong impression on the Chinese participants. Wang highlighted the use of drones and the organisation of police activities among the areas that caught his attention, while Zhou singled out the riot control and SWAT courses as the experience that had the greatest impact on him. “The tactical precision, coordination and professionalism demonstrated by Dubai Police were exceptional,” Zhou said, adding that the sessions offered practical insights into managing high-risk situations that could be adapted to his own operational environment in China. Zhou was also impressed by Dubai Police’s broader approach to security, particularly the way technology is supported by professional human capabilities. He described it as a “comprehensive approach to security, combining cutting edge technology with highly trained personnel”, while noting that sessions with guest speakers demonstrated how Dubai Police uses innovation and forward-thinking policies to anticipate emerging security challenges. China brings its experience to PIL The exchange, however, was not one-way. Both officers brought their own professional and national policing experiences into the classroom. Wang contributed his academic expertise during discussions related to his field, particularly police education and the application of artificial intelligence in policing. Zhou shared examples of China’s community-based policing and the integration of technology into everyday law enforcement. During the Future Cities module, he presented an example of how China integrates traffic signal systems with drone hangars to support real-time traffic monitoring and incident response. According to Zhou, the example generated strong feedback from fellow participants and demonstrated how technological innovation can improve both public safety and traffic management efficiency. Taking new knowledge back to China The officers also identified lessons they intend to carry into their work after the programme. Wang highlighted police education and the application of AI in policing as important areas for future development. He also suggested evolving traditional classroom methods and better integrating management principles with practical policing. Zhou said his experience in Dubai had given him new perspectives on crowd control, open-source intelligence gathering and the analysis of global drug trafficking. “I plan to share these learnings with my colleagues and explore how we can incorporate some of these best practices into our local operations in Yangzhou,” he said. Policing without borders For both officers, one of PIL’s strongest messages was that the future of policing will increasingly depend on cooperation across borders. Wang described international cooperation as “the main trend shaping the future of policing”, stressing that it is essential to the profession’s development. Zhou said such cooperation has become particularly important as police organisations confront crimes that increasingly cross national boundaries, including drug t