Latest news with #PositiveSpiritCouncil
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
How Dubai Police use sports, community events to cut crime, build trust
Dubai Police are leaning into community engagement as part of a wider effort to boost safety and reduce crime. Over the past three years, the force has hosted more than 900 events, bringing together residents from 37 nationalities through sports, cultural programmes, and educational workshops. It's all part of a unique initiative called 'Positive Spirit' which aims to foster trust, connection, and cooperation between police and the communities they serve. Launched in 2019, the initiative takes a 'soft force' approach to policing — using engagement and inclusion, rather than enforcement, to tackle crime at its roots. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Fatima Buhajeer, chairperson of the Positive Spirit Council, said the initiative is about more than events; it's about creating lasting bonds. 'By bringing people together, we create safer environments through trust, collaboration, and a shared sense of responsibility,' she told Khaleej Times during the 'Positive Spirit' press conference on Tuesday (July 15). Between 2022 and 2024, Positive Spirit organised 933 events, including 289 sports programmes, 241 community gatherings, and 292 workshops and lectures. More than 6,600 volunteers took part — helping to spread awareness about police services and strengthen neighbourhood ties. The initiative has grown into a key pillar of Dubai Police's preventive policing strategy. Rather than just reacting to crime, it focuses on preventing it by addressing factors like social isolation and mistrust in law enforcement. 'Our preventive strategy is not just about deploying officers, but empowering the community to be part of the safety system,' Buhajeer added. A safer Dubai The strategy appears to be working. According to Numbeo's 2025 global safety index, the UAE is now ranked the second safest country in the world, climbing from fourth place last year. Dubai Police also reported a 25 per cent drop in serious crimes in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Overall crime fell by nearly 50 per cent in 2023, pointing to the effectiveness of community-based programmes like Positive Spirit. Buhajeer explained how the initiative has helped build a more cohesive and secure society by encouraging positive behaviour, raising awareness about police services, and increasing community involvement in crime prevention. 'This is not just about promoting happiness, it's about creating safer communities by building trust and engagement between residents and the police,' Buhajeer said. Reaching every corner of the city One of the initiative's biggest successes is how it reaches segments of the population that don't typically engage with law enforcement — including seniors, children, and residents from diverse cultural backgrounds. By building those connections, officials say the programme has improved communication and reporting between communities and local police stations, especially in residential areas. 'We've seen stronger ties and greater trust, which translates into more cooperation and ultimately, a safer Dubai,' Buhajeer said. So far, Positive Spirit content has drawn nearly 18 million online views, and the initiative has been recognised with 15 awards, including one from the International Association of Chiefs of Police for excellence in community policing. According to the Council, public satisfaction with the initiative stands at 98.9 percent.
Al Etihad
19 hours ago
- General
- Al Etihad
Dubai Police showcases three years of ‘Positive Spirit' achievements
15 July 2025 16:37 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)The Dubai Police, represented by the Positive Spirit Council, held a press conference to showcase the achievements of the initiative over the past three event, held in the Cycling Hub at the Dubai Police Club, was attended by Major General Consultant Dr. Ali Singel, Health Advisor for Dubai Police; Professor Ali Hassan Salman Nasser, the Regional Ambassador for the World Federation of Friends of the United Nations in the Middle East, North Africa, the UAE, and Oman; Fatima Buhajeer, Chairperson of the Positive Spirit Council; Mohammad Al Hajjaji, General Coordinator of the Positive Spirit Council; as well as several officers and media the press conference, Fatima Buhajeer explained that Positive Spirit is a community-based initiative that aims to promote positivity and spread happiness among residents through various activities and added: 'The initiative also aims to create a more cohesive society and reinforce values of tolerance and coexistence among individuals from diverse backgrounds. It targets all community members, including children, youth, and seniors from various nationalities. This ongoing effort seeks to cultivate a happy and safe environment by promoting positivity, collaboration, and cooperation among everyone. Initiative GoalsBuhajeer emphasised that the initiative aims to strengthen community ties through activities and events designed to unite residents. She stated, 'The Positive Spirit initiative promotes tolerance and coexistence, encourages positive dialogue among community members, and stimulates participation by providing ample opportunities for involvement. Furthermore, it aligns with Dubai Police's strategic goal of enhancing community happiness and fosters a culture of volunteering through diverse initiatives.' Buhajeer noted that through its initiatives and me, the Positive Spirit Council achieved a remarkable transformation in the relationship between the community and Dubai Police through its diverse events, initiatives, and community sports programmes.'By fostering trust and communication, it has consistently enhanced social security in residential areas, yielding notable positive outcomes over the years,' she Buhajeer indicated that, through the Positive Spirit initiative, the council organised 933 events from 2022 to 2024, engaging participants from over 37 nationalities. This includes 241 community programmes, 289 sports programmes, 292 courses and lectures, and 111 cultural competitions. AwarenessBuhajeer confirmed that the council has played a crucial role in enhancing security in residential areas under the jurisdiction of police stations since its establishment. 'This effort reflects the council's ongoing commitment to fostering positive behaviors among community members and raising awareness of police services and communication channels with Dubai Police,' Buhajeer continued. Preventive Strategy Year of Community Continue full coverage She explained that the council's approach is grounded in a preventive strategy for community engagement since the launch of its events and programmes. 'By involving community members as volunteers, it has empowered them to become key players in supporting the security system and enhancing the safety of their neighborhoods. Consequently, the council has emerged as an exemplary model for strengthening community security, serving as a soft force in promoting tolerance, coexistence, and community solidarity,' Buhajeer chairperson of the Positive Spirit Council shared that the council, under the guidance of Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, places significant emphasis on volunteer work as part of its agenda. She pointed out that the council is committed to fostering a culture of volunteering among employees and community members, recognising the profound impact of such efforts on society, particularly in promoting values like compassion, solidarity, and said, "Through our initiatives and community events, we provide annual volunteer opportunities for residents to engage in this vibrant movement. This enriches their lives and supports Dubai Police's strategic goals of creating a happier and safer community. Since 2022, the Council has offered 222 volunteer opportunities across various fields, benefiting 6,650 volunteers.'Buhajeer emphasised that the council's initiatives align with Dubai Police's strategic goals to enhance community happiness by promoting security, trust in the police, and overall quality of life, contributing to the vision of a safe and resilient noted that the events, programmes, sports activities, and cultural competitions organised by the council, in cooperation with police stations, have achieved a remarkable public satisfaction rate of 98.9%.Buhajeer further confirmed that Positive Spirit initiatives have attracted 17,917,442 views on social media platforms over the past three years. Additionally, she reaffirmed that the Council has received 15 awards at local, regional, and international levels since launching its initiatives and programmes. Among these prestigious accolades are the International Association of Chiefs of Police Award (IACP) in the Community Policing category; the Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Awards for Best Sports Creative Initiative; the Emirates Women Award in the Social Community Work category; and the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work, which includes both the Distinguished Supporter Award for Volunteer Work and the Best Voluntary Initiative Award, among others.
Zawya
04-07-2025
- Zawya
Dubai Police unveil initiative to promote tourist safety in summer
DUBAI - Dubai Police, represented by the Tourist Police Department under the General Department of Criminal Investigation, launched a summer initiative to promote tourist safety, aimed at enhancing security and instilling concepts of safety and awareness among the public. The initiative is organised in partnership with the Positive Spirit Council, the General Department of Community Happiness, the Crime Prevention Department, the Dubai Police Academy and the Security Inspection Department (K9), in collaboration with the MST JUNIOR Academy. The campaign was launched at Umm Suqeim Beach in the presence of Brigadier Khalfan Obaid Al Jallaf, Director of the Tourist Police Department; Fatima Buhajeer, Chairperson of the Positive Spirit Council; Captain Ahmed Al Fujeir Al Muhairi, Head of the Beach Security Section; as well as several officers, Dubai Police employees and volunteers. Brigadier Al Jallaf stated that the initiative reflects Dubai Police's ongoing commitment to promoting tourism security, raising public awareness and introducing the services of the Tourist Police Department. He highlighted the importance of educating tourists on how to report incidents through the emergency number 999 and the non-emergency number 901. He added that the campaign is part of the General Department of Criminal Investigation's initiatives in support of Dubai Police's strategic vision to enhance safety, foster a secure tourism environment and enrich the overall visitor experience in the emirate. As part of the initiative, Dubai Police organised sporting activities and distributed awareness materials to tourists at Umm Suqeim Beach. The event also featured a musical performance by the Dubai Police band and a K9 police dog show.
Gulf Today
28-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Dubai Police recognize Chinese woman for outstanding cooperation
Dubai Police, represented by the K9 Security Inspection Department and the Positive Spirit Council, honored Ms. Yongmei Li, a Chinese national, for her collaboration with the K9 Security Inspection Department at the K9 International Show and her support for various initiatives and events organized by the Positive Spirit Council. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Salah Al Mazrouei praised Ms. Yongmei Li, emphasizing that this recognition reflects Dubai Police's commitment to acknowledging contributors and partners within the force and the wider community. He added, "This honor celebrates her positive and impactful role in serving the community, which supported the K9 International Show and reinforced its goals of promoting a sense of security and safety among individuals. Meanwhile, Ms. Fatima Buhajeer remarked that this recognition underscores the council's commitment to achieving Dubai Police's strategic goals of enhancing community happiness and promoting security and safety. "It also raises awareness of important community values, improves the quality of life, fosters social harmony, and creates joyful living environments while encouraging tolerance, coexistence, and respect for others," she continued. At the end of the event, Lt. Col. Al Mazrouei and Ms. Buhajeer presented Ms. Yongmei Li with an award in appreciation of her ongoing collaboration with the initiatives and activities of the Dubai Police. Yongmei Li expressed her gratitude for the honor, stating that it inspires her to continue supporting the council's various initiatives.
