Policewomen match the men in the field

A graduation ceremony for trainee police officers saw female graduates being honoured alongside their male colleagues for the first time.

The female graduates march across the parade square during the graduation ceremony of the 19th batch of cadets.
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ABU DHABI // A graduation ceremony for trainee police officers today saw female graduates being honoured alongside their male colleagues for the first time. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, the Minister of Interior, attended the ceremony honouring the 19th batch of police officers to graduate from Abu Dhabi Police College. In previous years, only male officers would take part in the graduation ceremony on the academy's training field while female officers had their graduation ceremony in a classroom. It was the third batch of female officers to graduate from the police college. Sheikh Saif said the graduation of female officers was a source of pride to the country. "Emirati woman enjoy the attention and support of our wise leadership," he said. He urged them to participate "with all pride and confidence" in the development of security in the country. The step to hold the graduation of the 33 female police officers was a testament to their performance levels, which is on a par with that of their male colleagues, said the first class lieutenant Shamma Ahmad al Muhairi, the head of the Women Police Training and Qualification Section. "This year is different from previous years in that two courses for female officers have graduated in the college training field following their completion of professional and academic training. This year's female batch has done very well throughout their training years, both academically and professionally," said first class Lt Muhairi. "Emirati women have proved their merit in the field of policing. The promotion of police women to lieutenant rank is a recognition of the importance of the presence of female officers in the security forefront alongside their male colleagues." Sheikh Saif called on the new graduates to ensure they implemented the law objectively "keeping the safety of the country as a top priority" and stressed that no tolerance or leniency should be accorded to those who do not show respect to the laws. Training for university degree holders lasts one year, while holders of high school certificate must undergo four and a half years of training. Officers undergo daily classes that include physical, academic and military training. They also take courses in English language, criminal law, human rights, principles of police operations, the principles of scientific research, penal code, crime scene, community policing, public relations, traffic and police law, international co-operation in combating crime, preliminary interrogation and forensic medicine and laboratory. hhassan@thenational.ae