Dubai Police Museum offers arresting tales of Bugatti-driving force


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai Police might be most famous worldwide for its fleet of high-end patrol vehicles, from Bugattis to G-Wagons, but, unsurprisingly, there’s plenty that goes on behind-the-scenes of what has become known as one of the world’s most technologically advanced law enforcement bodies.

If you want to get a sneak peek into what goes on, then the Dubai Police Museum, which is tucked within the gated Dubai Police General Headquarters in Al Twar 1, offers a surprisingly intimate and fascinating insight into the evolution of Dubai’s police force since its formation in 1956.

Officially established in 1987, the museum serves as a tribute to the city’s focus on safety, order and innovation. It charts how a modest team of 29 officers, based out of the historic Naif Fort, transformed into a force that polices one of the world’s most exciting cities.

The museum is home to several exhibits. Antonie Robertson / The National
The museum is home to several exhibits. Antonie Robertson / The National

Why go there?

This is one for history lovers, tech or criminology enthusiasts, or simply anyone curious about how Dubai became one of the world’s safest cities. It offers a clear yet uncritical narrative arc that traces the force’s growth alongside Dubai’s meteoric rise.

It’s especially interesting for those wanting to understand the intersection of tradition, strategy and innovation in local governance. But also anyone who wants to see some cool policing equipment and a room filled with confiscated items used in smuggling attempts.

What you’ll see

Visits begin with a 16-minute video in a small viewing room that sets the scene with a digestible introduction to Dubai Police’s origin story, subtitled in English. The film recounts key milestones, like the dramatic robbery of a commercial store just three days after the police force was founded, a crime solved in record time, helping set the tone for Dubai’s reputation for swift justice.

A collection of rifles and guns at the museum. Antonie Robertson / The National
A collection of rifles and guns at the museum. Antonie Robertson / The National

Once through the intro, you’re free to explore the rest of the museum at your own pace. The exhibits are wide-ranging and thoughtfully presented, from old photographs and archival documents to display cases filled with old communication devices, antique and modern weapons, and riot gear used over the decades. A section is dedicated to police uniforms and badges, highlighting the stylistic and functional changes across time.

There are also displays on major criminal cases and drug busts, including a compelling collection of confiscated items that reveal the breadth of the police force’s operations.

Another highlight is the nod to the different operational divisions, such as the K9 unit, the air wing and the mounted police division, which began with only four officers and nine horses.

See how the uniforms have changed over the years. Antonie Robertson / The National
See how the uniforms have changed over the years. Antonie Robertson / The National

Star attraction

One of the most interesting aspects of the museum is its celebration of Dubai Police’s technological advancement in years past.

They were pioneers in the Arab world, introducing digital fingerprinting systems and DNA analysis at a time when such methods were far from standard, according to our tour guide.

There's a room dedicated to older technology used in the past by the force. Antonie Robertson/The National
There's a room dedicated to older technology used in the past by the force. Antonie Robertson/The National

A particularly memorable display showcases the first British-made computer acquired by the force in the early 1970s.

What to know before you go

Don’t expect a flashy or overly interactive museum – it’s more old-school in presentation, with a quiet charm and plenty of stories if you take the time to dig into the details.

Some of the captions are in Arabic only, so non-Arabic speakers may miss some nuance, but the staff are exceptionally friendly and happy to explain exhibits in English. Their warmth and enthusiasm add a personal touch that makes the experience.

Plan to spend about an hour here, maybe slightly longer if you’re particularly keen on reading everything or asking questions.

Ticket price and location

Entry is free, but a visitor permit is required in advance via the Dubai Police website. The application process is straightforward, and approval came through quickly for us.

Open Sunday to Thursday, 8am–2pm. The museum is located inside the Dubai Police Headquarters, Al Twar 1, and is easily accessible by car, taxi, or Dubai Metro (nearest station is Al Qusais).

Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community

• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style

“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.

Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term. 

From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”

• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International

"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed.  Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."

• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."

• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com

"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.

His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.

Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."

• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher

"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen.  He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”

• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."

Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

10. Reduce inequality  within and among countries

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder

Started: October 2021

Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Industry: technology, logistics

Investors: A15 and self-funded 

'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster

The%20specs
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The biog

Siblings: five brothers and one sister

Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota

Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym

Favourite place: UAE

Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera

What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books

FIGHT%20CARD
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The specs

Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed

Power: 271 and 409 horsepower

Torque: 385 and 650Nm

Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000

 

 

The biog

Name: Fareed Lafta

Age: 40

From: Baghdad, Iraq

Mission: Promote world peace

Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi

Role models: His parents 

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK 

Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV

HWJN
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FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELong-range%20dual%20motor%20with%20400V%20battery%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E360kW%20%2F%20483bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E840Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20628km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh360%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Family reunited

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.

She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.

She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.

The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.

She was held in her native country a year later.

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

Updated: June 25, 2025, 7:03 AM