The UAE Police System combines the country’s wider federal security structure with local police forces in each emirate. In Dubai, Dubai Police is responsible for law enforcement, public safety, emergency response, traffic security and community protection.
That system has helped Dubai build a reputation as one of the world’s safest cities. In the 2025 Security Quality of Life Survey, Dubai Police recorded 98.2% overall security quality of life, 99.9% daytime safety perception, 98.7% feeling safe while walking at night and 96.2% confidence in police stations.
UAE Police System
The UAE has a national security framework led at the federal level, while each emirate has its own local police authority. This allows local forces to manage policing and law enforcement while operating within the wider UAE security system.
In Dubai, the system covers:
- Law enforcement
- Public safety
- Criminal investigations
- Traffic and road safety
- Emergency response
- Community policing
- Specialised security operations
How Emirati Police Works
The system combines police patrols, command-and-control operations, investigations, emergency teams, specialised units and digital technology.
The Command-and-Control Centre is a key part of emergency operations. During Q4 2025, it handled more than 1.46 million calls, with a 99.5% commitment to answering emergency calls within 10 seconds.
Dubai Police also uses real-time information, smart systems and specialised operational units to improve response and security coverage.
Main Services
Dubai Police provides services across several major areas:
- Emergency Response
- Criminal Reports & Complaints
- Traffic Services
- Criminal Investigation
- Certificates & Permits
- Lost & Found
- Community Services
- Women Protection
- Child Protection
- Tourist Support
- Worker Support
- Critical Care Response
The official service catalogue also includes specialised services such as neighbourhood policing, cybercrime-related reporting, traffic-fine services and security-related services.
Police Stations and Smart Police Stations
Dubai has conventional police stations as well as Smart Police Stations (SPS).
The official SPS system currently lists 32 Smart Police Stations through 2025, offering 29 services through its smart network.
The main formats include:
- Smart Police Station (SPS)
- Walk-In SPS
- Drive-Thru SPS
- Suburban SPS
These facilities operate 24/7 and allow eligible services to be completed through self-service technology.
Important Police and Emergency Numbers
🚨 Police Emergency
999
☎️ Police Non-Emergency
901
🚑 Ambulance
998
🔥 Civil Defence / Fire
997
Dubai Police specifically directs non-urgent enquiries to 901, helping keep the 999 emergency line available for urgent situations.
Technology and Smart Response
Technology is a major part of the modern system.
Dubai Police uses AI, digital services, smart monitoring, real-time data and drone technology to support policing and emergency response. Its Drone Box system, for example, can deploy drones to incidents and send live information to the Command-and-Control Centre. Dubai Police reported a 57-second response time for its Drone Box system in its 2025 results.
This combination of people and technology allows incidents to be identified, assessed and responded to more efficiently.
Women and Specialised Teams
Women are an established part of the policing system, including operational and specialised roles.
Dubai Police has trained female officers for Command-and-Control Centre duties, including emergency communications, guidance and control.
Specialised teams also work across areas such as criminal investigation, traffic, emergency response, cybercrime, K9 operations, mounted police and tactical security. The UAE SWAT Challenge has also highlighted specialised tactical teams and an all-women Dubai Police team.
Safety for Residents and Tourists
The system is designed for the whole community — citizens, residents, workers, businesses and visitors.
For tourists, the available support includes police assistance, tourist support, emergency response, lost-item reporting and access to eligible digital and Smart Police Station services. The official service catalogue specifically includes Tourist Support as a dedicated service.
Residents and workers can also access community, traffic, reporting, protection and other police services through digital channels, stations and the 901 contact centre.
The Bottom Line
The strength of the Dubai Police system comes from bringing together law enforcement, emergency response, specialised teams, police stations, smart services, technology and community safety.
That combination has helped Dubai achieve exceptionally high safety-perception and public-confidence scores and establish itself as one of the world’s safest cities.
