Dubai, UAE – Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, welcomed Olofunmilola Obe, Chief of Training at the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and her accompanying delegation to the Dubai Police Officers Club. This significant meeting marked a milestone in international law enforcement collaboration, as both organizations explored avenues for enhancing training and academic qualifications while sharing insights on training practices.
During the meeting, Lieutenant General Al Marri reaffirmed Dubai Police’s dedication to bolstering international relations and partnerships, emphasizing the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices in security and law enforcement, particularly in training and qualification.
Olofunmilola Obe, in turn, expressed her admiration for Dubai Police’s exemplary training, academic qualification system, and diverse programs designed to nurture an advanced force.
The visit continued with Olofunmilola Obe’s tour of the Dubai Police Academy, where she gained a comprehensive understanding of the institution’s history, evolution, main training and educational programs, prestigious accreditations, awards, achievements, organizational structure, and the roles of its training departments. She was also briefed on the General Training Department’s initiatives.
A remarkable highlight of the visit was Olofunmilola Obe’s meeting with Dubai Police’s specialized all-female SWAT team. This team showcased their rigorous training programs, including tactical shooting, raiding, sniping, and endurance training. These programs have endowed them with extensive experience, leading to exceptional performance levels during evaluations, complete mission readiness, and participation in domestic and international competitions.
Moreover, Olofunmilola Obi had the privilege of meeting with Lieutenant Dana Al Souri, an accomplished graduate of the New York Police Academy’s Officer Preparation Programme, alongside her colleague Lieutenant Shama Al Bufalasa. These two officers made history by becoming the first female police officers from the UAE to successfully complete this esteemed international training. Olofunmilola Obi gained insights into Lieutenant Dana’s experiences during her intensive 6-month program at the New York Police Academy, an institution boasting a remarkable legacy of over 177 years of expertise in law enforcement.
In recognition of this successful visit and the promising collaborations discussed, Lieutenant General Al Marri and Olofunmilola Obe exchanged commemorative shields, symbolizing the commitment of both organizations to furthering cooperation in the realm of law enforcement training.
This meeting between Dubai Police and the NYPD underscores the importance of international partnerships and knowledge sharing in advancing security and law enforcement efforts on a global scale. The fruitful exchange of insights and experiences promises a brighter and safer future for both Dubai and New York City’s police forces.