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World’s first smart police station opens in Dubai

The unmanned police station provides around-the-clock services to the public

By Police1 Staff

Technology collaborations are helping communities tackle key challenges such as reducing traffic congestion, fostering economic growth and managing environmental impacts, improving the delivery of municipal services and making our cities smarter. These changes are also impacting how we fight crime.

In September, Dubai Police opened the world’s first Smart Police Station (SPS), part of the city’s vision to become the smartest city on earth.

The SPS is an unmanned police station providing around-the-clock services. The public can track criminal investigations, pay traffic tickets, report lost items or suspicious behavior, and get information on a variety of community services without having to wait in line or take the time to speak to a police officer.

The most important service the SPS offers is allowing citizens to report crime virtually. The station features private rooms where a person reporting a crime participates in a video call with multilingual police officers. After collecting all the details, the police officer forwards paperwork to the victim to allow them to follow the procedure online.

“We’ve had a positive reaction from the public, as more people use the service,” a Dubai Police representative told Police1. “The SPS allows crime to be reported without an individual having to face a police officer in a busy police station. This is especially helpful for domestic crimes.”

The SPS is fully monitored by smart cameras, with touch screens to complete transactions and service centers connected via a screen and a smart device to an investigator on duty to receive reports.

The kiosks in the station also offer public education such as driving games to teach about safe driving. Services are available in more than six languages.

“Police officers are 100% behind the vision of the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police to reach the aim of the Ruler of Dubai for the Dubai government to completely paperless and “smart” by 2021,” said the Dubai Police representative.

The SPS is part of Dubai Police’s strategy to become a “smarter” service and make Dubai the safest city in the world:

  • In late June, the agency revealed plans to deploy new autonomous miniature patrol cars. These vehicles feature facial recognition cameras, live video broadcasting to dispatch centers and drone capabilities.
  • Dubai Police’s new robot cops allow citizens to report crime, pay traffic fines or chat with the officer in Arabic or English.
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