Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Dubai Police Academy, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Georgetown University, the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to launch the Mohammed bin Rashid Master in Police and Security Leadership programme.
The first programme of its kind, it is dedicated to institutionalising the police and security leadership philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It translates His Highness’s vision into an integrated framework that combines academic theory with practical application to develop a generation of leaders capable of shaping the future, driving decision-making and leading transformation.
The agreement was signed during the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, the premier annual gathering dedicated to management and leadership. Organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development (MBRCLD), the event brought together 1,000 government and private sector leaders to discuss the future of leadership and management while advancing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to reinforce Dubai’s position as a global hub for excellence and innovation.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; Brigadier Shaun Chandler, Head of the Leadership, Education and Development Group within the British Army’s Individual Training Command; Professor Prashant Malaviya, Vice Dean of Programs and Managing Director at Georgetown University; Philippe Aubert, Senior Programme Officer for International Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at UNITAR; and Andrew Kamarchevakul, Senior Detective and Liaison Officer at the NYPD.
The Master’s programme combines the leadership philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with the academic, policing and security expertise of Dubai Police Academy, complemented by international experience and specialist knowledge. Together, these elements create an integrated framework that links knowledge to application, vision to decision-making and learning to measurable impact.
Spanning 12 months, the programme comprises 30 credit hours across eight modules covering key areas, including the leadership philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, governance and innovation, strategic leadership, foresight and decision-making, and transformation and security crisis leadership. The programme also incorporates an applied project, Shadow Leadership elements and an international experience component.
Nurturing leaders
His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said the launch of the programme reflects Dubai Police’s commitment to investing in human capital and developing leaders capable of navigating change, anticipating challenges and shaping the future.
His Excellency Al Marri said: “The philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is not limited to leadership. It is a comprehensive school of thought that has demonstrated its impact in practice. It has raised the bar of ambition, instilled a culture of initiative and proactivity, empowered individuals, translated vision into tangible achievements and established Dubai as a global benchmark for leadership and future readiness.”
He added: “This philosophy has taught us that a true leader does not wait for change but anticipates it; does not merely manage challenges but turns them into opportunities; and never settles for past achievements but continually strives for more. From this philosophy, Dubai Police draws its vision to develop leaders with clarity of purpose, courage in decision-making and the ability to lead transformation.”
His Excellency Al Marri said the programme represents an important step towards institutionalising this philosophy and passing it to future generations through a specialised academic and practical framework tailored to police and security leadership.
“We aim to develop leaders who anticipate, innovate, decide and lead, transforming Dubai’s leadership development model into Emirati knowledge that can be shared with the world,” he added.
Integrated tracks
Brigadier Dr. Sultan Abdul Hamid Al Jamal, Director of Dubai Police Academy, said the programme was designed around an integrated academic and practical framework that moves leadership development beyond the study of theory and concepts to the active development of leadership capabilities, real-world practice and direct links between knowledge, decision-making and institutional impact.
Dr. Al Jamal said the curriculum covers key areas including the leadership philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, governance and innovation, strategic leadership, foresight and decision-making, and transformation and security crisis leadership, alongside an applied project and accompanying leadership experiences.
He noted that a key feature of the programme is the integration of academic study with practical leadership tracks, including Shadow Leadership, international leadership experiences, dialogues with senior officials and decision-makers, and applied projects. International partner institutions contribute expertise across specialised areas of leadership development.
“Our goal is for graduates to strengthen their capabilities in strategic thinking, decision-making, team leadership and transformation management, ensuring that programme outcomes translate directly into initiatives, solutions and practical improvements that enhance police and security institutions,” he said.
Comprehensive journey
Designed as a comprehensive leadership development journey, the programme begins with intellectual and methodological foundations before progressing through character development, strategic leadership, foresight and decision-making, and leadership during transformation and security crises. It culminates in practical application through real-world experiences and the design of applied projects and initiatives.
Academic modules are fully integrated with leadership case studies, applied projects, dialogues with leaders and decision-makers, and field and international experiences, ensuring each stage of the programme is directly connected to leadership practice.
Four partners
The programme is built on an international partnership framework in which each partner contributes specialist expertise throughout the leadership development journey.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst provides expertise in leadership under pressure, decision-making, discipline and responsibility.
Georgetown University contributes expertise in strategy, policy development and decision-making in complex environments.
The NYPD shares operational leadership experience, resource and team management practices, and decision-making approaches for complex urban and security environments.
UNITAR contributes a global perspective focused on international leadership, cross-border cooperation and emerging global security challenges and trends.
Together, this framework combines Emirati leadership philosophy and Dubai Police operational expertise with international strategic and field leadership perspectives in a single learning experience.
Intensive workshops
Brigadier Shaun Chandler, Head of the Leadership, Education and Development Group within the British Army’s Individual Training Command at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, said: “We are honoured to partner on this pioneering Master’s programme, bringing Sandhurst’s longstanding expertise in preparing leaders to make critical decisions in high-pressure situations. Working alongside Dubai Police Academy, we aim to empower learners to balance rigorous police and military discipline with the strategic agility at the heart of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s philosophy.”
He added: “The international leadership trip organised as part of the programme in partnership with Sandhurst offers immersive field experiences, intensive workshops and real-world scenario training designed to strengthen mental and psychological readiness and provide participants with the practical expertise required to lead their teams effectively.”
Latest academic curricula
Professor Prashant Malaviya, Vice Dean of Programs and Managing Director at Georgetown University, said: “Georgetown University is proud to partner with Dubai Police Academy to introduce the Mohammed bin Rashid Master in Police and Security Leadership. Our contribution focuses on delivering the latest academic curricula in public policy design and long-term strategic planning to help security leaders anticipate and navigate future challenges.
“We are honoured to help translate His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s strategic thinking into measurable and scalable governance models and institutional frameworks. The courses aim to equip leaders with advanced strategic analysis and critical thinking skills, enabling them to make data-informed security decisions and design proactive policies supported by specialised research.”
International negotiation skills
Philippe Aubert, Senior Programme Officer for International Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at UNITAR, said: “The programme aims to develop leaders equipped with a global outlook capable of addressing complex security challenges and coordinating effectively with international organisations. UNITAR contributes international negotiation and security diplomacy expertise, together with a deeper understanding of UN conventions and frameworks, reinforcing Dubai’s standing on the international security stage.”
He added: “Our focus is on linking security to the broader concept of sustainable development, promoting international best practices in managing cross-border crises and emerging threats, and helping participants strengthen their communication and strategic storytelling skills in international forums.”
Focus on modern technologies
Andrew Kamarchevakul, Senior Detective and Liaison Officer at the NYPD, said: “Through this programme, we will share the NYPD’s operational expertise with participants, particularly in managing daily and tactical security operations in smart, densely populated and culturally diverse cities. Our focus also includes the practical application of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to accelerate response times and enhance public safety.”
He added: “The programme offers immersive, real-world experiences that translate theoretical concepts into practical decisions and action. We aim to equip participants to lead major incidents and manage risks effectively in dynamic and uncertain environments while ensuring operational continuity and community safety.”
From classroom instruction to real-world leadership
Shadow Leadership is a key practical component of the programme, enabling participants to work alongside senior leaders in real-world environments and observe decision-making and the management of institutional responsibilities and challenges.
This experience is complemented by international leadership programmes, dialogues with senior decision-makers, case studies and applied projects, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical leadership.
Beyond awarding an academic degree, the programme will generate knowledge through applied research, case studies, a leadership knowledge base and a police and security leadership guidebook, helping document and share Dubai’s experience with the world.
Future leaders
The programme is aimed at current and emerging leaders across police, security, military and government entities, as well as selected professionals involved in decision-making, national security, crisis and risk management, institutional readiness, digital transformation, advanced technologies and AI applications within security environments.
Dubai Police Academy plans to open applications in October 2026, with classes scheduled to begin on 4 January 2027. The date coincides with the anniversary of the Accession Day of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Ruler of Dubai, marking a significant milestone in Dubai’s journey of leadership and development.