Graduation of First Batch of Masters’ Degree Holders at the Police College - 6 March 2014

The Postgraduate Studies Department at the Police College in Abu Dhabi recently celebrated the graduation of the first batch of Masters’ Degree holders, which includes 29 officers from the different sectors of the Ministry of Interior. The graduation collocated with the graduation ceremony of the 24th batch of male bachelor degree holders and the 8th batch of female bachelor degree holders that took place at the Police College in Abu Dhabi.

In his speech at the ceremony, Colonel Saif Al Kutbi, Police College Director, said that the college has made a great achievement by obtaining the academic accreditation for the Master's program. This reflects the college’s constant commitment to improve the training and education process, using modern programs and curricula that meet the requirements of police work and technological developments in all areas. "The Police College is keen to implement the Ministry of Interior’s strategy to qualify officers academically and practically. This goal is part of the police leadership’s priorities and attention to all matters related to achieving quality and excellence in various areas of police work,” pointed out Colonel Al Kutbi.

For his part, Major Dr. Nasser Mohamed Al Baker, Head of Postgraduate Studies Department at the Police College noted that the department was established by virtue of the decision of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. This would allow police officers to obtain a Master's degree, before pursuing a PhD. Studies began in October, 2010. "Since the establishment of the Postgraduate Studies Department at the Police College, a total of 45 officers got a diploma; 21 officers received a diploma in Police Management, and 24 officers obtained a diploma in Criminal Justice. 29 officers obtained a Masters’ Degree: 13 officers in Police Management and 16 in Criminal Justice,” said Major Dr. Al Baker.

He added: "The Postgraduate Studies Department seeks to raise the efficiency of police and public security officers and provide them with the necessary knowledge to efficiently carry out their duties and assume their responsibilities. It was also established to inculcate security sciences in both theoretical and practical fields; as well as to identify work-related problems, and establish a significant intellectual base for administrative, police and criminal knowledge, in light of social changes and new work systems.”

The department also seeks to qualifying academic personnel within the police force; in order to identify work-related issues, find the means to meet the new era requirements, and propose suitable solutions. This can be achieved through studies and scientific conferences, and encouraging scientific research in various fields, using appropriate methods and curricula in legal, police and criminal justice sciences; in addition to achieving cooperation and coordination with internationally recognized universities, and exchanging experiences in this field.

Major Al Baker explained the entry requirements for postgraduate studies. "Applicants wishing to get a Master’s Degree in Police Sciences must be Bachelor Degree holders in Police Sciences and Criminal Justice from the Abu Dhabi Police College, or its equivalent from recognized higher education institutions in the State. Applicants wishing to obtain a Master’s Degree in Law must have a Law Degree or its equivalent, with Very Good grades. Should the applicant have a 5-year experience, a Good grade is enough. Furthermore, applicants must have spent three years at least in the force, and obtained prior approval from his employer to enroll in the study program. Their work efficiency report for the last two years must be Very Good.

Major Al Baker also noted that the Postgraduate Studies Department organizes the Masters and PhD programs to contribute to boosting the efficiency of the Ministry of Interior’s staff members and provide them with the necessary knowledge to shoulder their responsibilities. "It also designs integrated curricula according to the requirements and objectives of the Postgraduates Studies Department at the Police College, and prepares programs to be implemented in accordance with the Ministry of Interior’s strategy. The department also grants certificates, diplomas and necessary documentation for postgraduate students, and establishes a significant intellectual base for administrative, police and criminal knowledge, in light of social changes and new work systems,” added Major Al Baker.

Furthermore, the department works on coordinating with international experts and specialized knowledge sources in security and policing areas, by enhancing relations, signing agreements, providing human and financial requirements to implementing postgraduate studies plans and programs. It also endeavors to encourage scientific research as the key approach by applying the scientific research methods and techniques in the legal and police sciences, and reinforces relations with Arab and international universities, and security and criminal justice institutions and exchanging information and experience.

"The Criminal Justice and Police Management diploma curricula are divided in two semesters. Courses are varied and include the Code of Criminal Procedure; the Penal Code and Criminal Justice Studies and Policing in English; Criminal Investigation; Criminal Science and Punishment; and the Islamic Penal System; in addition to several legal and policing courses,” noted Major Al Baker.

In conclusion, Major Al Baker stressed that the Postgraduate Studies Department’s goal is to establish a solid knowledge base that aligns with the requirements of a knowledge-based society, and to enhance police skills, based on cutting-edge sciences and scientific research. "To achieve this goal, the department strives to provide opportunities for postgraduate academic qualification in areas of police sciences, criminal justice, legal and administrative sciences. This would enhance the officers’ capabilities and enable them to meet the requirements of law enforcement in the third millennium, and to keep pace with technological and knowledge-based developments in order to establish security and stability in society; reduce crime; and contribute to achieving justice in a way that ensures public confidence in the police.

The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com