Dubai Police’s all-female VIP protection unit were showcasing their skills on Monday to highlight the growing role of women in the force.
Forty-five highly trained women officers specialise in protecting high-ranking officials in any given situation, and are as adept on foot as they are on two wheels.
Warrant officer Aysha Hussain Mohammed Al Jassmi, 44, said she joined the unit in 1994.
“When I first joined the unit, we were only six female police officers,” she said, adding that the training to become part of the VIP protection unit is intense.
“We are sent around 20 times a month to protect highly valued individuals in ceremonies, accompany major guests, conferences, exhibitions,” said warrant officer Al Jassmi.
“We have to fully control the situation surrounding the official we are protecting. For instance, when we walk around the official in public places, such as malls, we watch over everyone approaching the highly valued official.”
