Men of honour: Nation’s pillars

They march in unison and move with precision.

In their structured world, discipline, obedience, camaraderie and physical fitness are prized over other traits.

Uniformity is the cornerstone of their lives – not just in parade drills but in every aspect of their academic life.

And it’s precisely this devotion to discipline and order that has helped the latest batch of 69 cadets to graduate after four years of tough training from the Dubai Police Academy.

Like the previous 15 batches, these cadets also obtained their bachelor’s degree in Law and Police Sciences from the sprawling complex of the Dubai Police Academy, located not far from the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel.

The elite group

The new batch now forms a part of an elite group of 1,206 cadets who have graduated from the prestigious institute since 1991 (when it was still known as the Dubai Police College).

The graduates – 34 Emiratis and the rest comprising cadets from eight other countries – are proud of themselves, having developed life-long bonds with each other as they took part in drills, fired and cleaned weapons and learned how to cut out a career in the world of policing and law enforcement.

"They are the future pillars of law enforcement and national security," Brigadier Dr Mohammad Ahmad Bin Fahd, Director of Dubai Police Academy, said during the dress rehearsal.

"They have high ethical standards, are equipped with complete knowledge of the law and sciences and have been trained in both academics and operations," he added.

Bin Fahd is proud of his students and the institution. "Our students graduate with comprehensive knowledge of the law, rules, regulations and duties."

Rashid Abdullah Al Beloushi, 23, who graduated with top honours and was the winner of the Honour Sword, said: "This graduation is a culmination of eight semesters of academic, firearm, defence and physical training."

In addition to the 69 police cadets, another 191 members from the batch 17 (comprising evening class students) obtained their degrees.

Code of conduct

"We expect truth, honesty and ethical behaviour from our cadets and graduates.

"They must be committed to uphold a position of public trust by maintaining the highest ethical standards and utmost respect for the laws and regulations of this country," Bin Fahd said.

He added that the training prepares them for a smooth transition from civilian to military life.

The curriculum

To join the academy, aspirants must finish high school and undergo an IQ and physical screening. Following a four-month introductory course for freshmen, the cadets follow a curriculum which is divided into two parts – theory (law and police sciences) and practice.

The mandate

Bin Fahd said: "Our mandate is to maintain an approved and up-to-date academic curriculum and provide practical training and contribute to the law-enforcement community.

"We arm our cadets not only with military discipline but with other qualities – patience and self-confidence.

"We teach them how to respect themselves and others and how to be responsible and be role models in the society."

Fact box

69: Batch 16 graduates from the Dubai Police Academy (34 Emiratis, 10 Yemenis, nine Palestinians, eight Kuwaitis, four Omanis, and one each from Qatar, Jordan, Bosnia and Kenya)

1,206: Cadets have graduated from the Academy since 1991

1,244: Evening-class students who have graduated since 1991

191: Students from batch 17 who took evening classes

Number of diplomas awarded by the Dubai Police Academy

Diploma in Public Law: 527 since 1998/1999

Diploma in Private Law: 303 since 1998/1999

Diploma in Forensics Science: 173 since 2003/2004

Diploma in Forensics Research: 44 since 2006/2007

Diploma in Commerce and International Investment: 76 since 2006/2007

Diploma in Legal Crisis Management: 61 since 2006/2007

Diploma in Illegal Crisis Management: 46 since 2006/2007

The top three cadets

Rashid Abdullah Al Beloushi, 23, Top in academics; winner of the Honour Sword

He is the seventh Emirati who was awarded this sword out of 16 batches of graduates.

"I am very proud and feel lucky to get this honour," he said, adding however that he never felt superior to his colleagues. He aims to join the Criminal Investigation Division of the General Department of Civil Aviation. "I want to pursue my master’s degree in Manchester," said Al Beloushi.

Al Beloushi, who has no immediate plans of marriage, is an avid football player and also has a black belt in tae kwon do, for which he is targeting to compete in the 2012 Olympics.

"It [policing] is my passion. It’s a call of duty to serve our country."

Rashid Ali Abdullah Bin Humaidan, 22, The most disciplined cadet

The most disciplined student, Bin Humaidan was never punished during his four years of training at the academy.

"My family has encouraged me to fulfil my ambition of joining the academy and pursuing my career as a police officer. My role model is the late Shaikh Zayed. My ambition is to invest the knowledge I have gained in the service of national security."

Abdullah Salem Saeed Al Ketbi, 22, Top marksman

Al Ketbi is the sharpest shooter in the Dubai Police Academy’s batch 16. Not only has he shown brilliance in shooting with a 9mm pistol but is also a top gun when he uses the M16 Armalite, FN assault rifle, MB5 and AK47-Kalashnikov. His late father is his role model. "I wish to be appointed as a sniper and in the VIP protection units. It might be a dangerous job, but I am ready to sacrifice my life for my country."