Two senior officers from Pakistan’s National Police, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kamran Ali and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Umar Farooq, recently completed a prestigious program designed to revolutionize policing strategies across the globe.
As participants in the Police Innovation and Leadership Diploma (PIL), organized by Dubai Police in partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology, both officers returned from Dubai with a new perspective on how technology, community engagement, and progressive leadership can reshape law enforcement worldwide—starting with Pakistan.
Smart, Modern Policing approach of Dubai Olice
Dubai Police’s motto—“Smart. Secure. Together”—isn’t just a slogan; it reflects the pillars of modern policing, according to the Pakistani police officer.
For SSP Kamran Ali, it encapsulates a vision that integrates advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) with proactive security measures and a strong commitment to community collaboration.
Ali sees the UAE’s model as a comprehensive roadmap that can redefine how policing is approached, not just in Dubai, but globally. “Dubai Police’s motto clearly reflects the features of modern policing,” said Col. Kamran Ali. “They’ve leveraged technology not just to enhance security, but to build a police force that is more inclusive, more efficient, and better connected with the public – a path that we, as law enforcement leaders, must follow.”
SSP Umar Farooq, who has seen firsthand the benefits of digital transformation in policing, agrees. For him, Dubai Police’s integration of AI, blockchain, and machine learning offers an exemplary framework for how these technologies can streamline daily operations, improve crime prediction, and elevate public service delivery. “Dubai Police has set a global benchmark in transforming the digital landscape of policing,” says Farooq, adding, It’s about time we bring these changes to Pakistan.
Taking it Home: Lessons for Pakistan
Both Ali and Farooq arrived in Dubai with one goal in mind: to learn and implement Dubai’s innovative policing strategies back home. With years of experience managing complex operations and leading large police forces, both officers believe that Dubai’s approach—focused on technology, community engagement, and employee wellbeing—has the potential to bring transformative change to Pakistan’s National Police.
Ali, who manages a unit of 2,500 officers in Kashmir, had long hoped to participate in the PIL program. After missing the first cohort due to operational demands, he finally had the chance to immerse himself in Dubai’s policing model. “Dubai’s approach will allow us to build new frameworks adaptable to Pakistan’s policing needs,” he says.
Farooq, whose operational expertise is integral to his current role, views the program as a crucial step in investing in Pakistan’s policing future. This isn’t just an academic pursuit—it’s “an investment in the future of policing in Pakistan,” he said, urging law enforcement leaders worldwide to take part.
Both officers agree that the ideas learned in Dubai could help bridge the gap between senior officers and junior ranks in Pakistan’s police services, ultimately fostering greater trust and cooperation.
Dubai Police’s PIL Diploma
The year 2025 marked the second edition of the region’s groundbreaking Police Innovation and Leadership (PIL) diploma. Launched in 2024 by Dubai Police, this first-of-its-kind program has already attracted police leaders from around the globe. In its inaugural year, the PIL diploma welcomed 46 participants from 31 countries, underscoring Dubai’s role as a pioneering global city in security, innovation, and quality of life.
This specialized program is a collaboration between the Dubai Police’s General Department of Training and the Rochester Institute of Technology in Dubai. It was designed with a clear focus on transforming policing practices through innovative strategies and advanced methodologies.
The PIL diploma emphasizes three key pillars: the academic program, specialized training, and quality of life. These elements are complemented by lectures from internationally recognized experts, providing participants with the tools to integrate cutting-edge concepts into their own policing systems.
Both Ali and Farooq were deeply impressed with the program’s comprehensive approach, which goes beyond technical expertise to include a focus on leadership and community-oriented policing. The initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to shaping the future of global law enforcement.
Technology as a Catalyst for Change
A central theme of the PIL program was Dubai Police’s advanced use of technology, and both officers were particularly struck by its impact. Ali, with his background in electrical engineering, was captivated by the potential of AI, automation, and data integration to not only enhance security but also facilitate more meaningful interactions with the public.
“For decades, we worked within traditional operational structures. Dubai has shown us how AI, automation, and data integration can not only enhance security but serve as tools for community engagement. This is the model we need to follow,” remarked Ali.
Farooq also found the program’s technical content invaluable. “The diploma gave us a solid understanding of how AI, blockchain, and machine learning can revolutionize daily policing operations,” he says. “It inspired me to envision how these technologies could improve our own systems – from handling reports and predicting crime to addressing challenges as they arise.”
Replicating Success: Ideas for Pakistan
The Smart Police Station (SPS), the Happiness and Positivity Council, and Dubai Police’s innovative campaigns, like Positive Spirit and the Youth Leadership Council, left lasting impressions on both officers. They see these initiatives not as distant ideals but as practical solutions that can be adapted to Pakistan’s unique policing environment.
For Ali, initiatives like Positive Spirit demonstrate how Dubai Police foster morale, trust, and happiness within the force, creating a culture that thrives on mutual respect and engagement. “These are the kind of initiatives we can adopt in Pakistan despite our large geography and law enforcement challenges, by activating the potential of Pakistani youth,” he suggests.
Farooq agrees, particularly regarding the SPS and the Happiness Council. “Our police services are already 60% digital. What we lack is a user-friendly public interface and a smart self-service system like Dubai’s SPS,” he says. Moreover, Pakistani police system could also “benefit greatly from Dubai’s Happiness and Positivity Council, which enhances staff wellbeing through optimal resource use.”
Farooq insisted that “There’s a real need to bridge the gap between senior officers and junior ranks, boost morale, and support mental health – especially in a force under heavy pressure like ours.”
Wellbeing: A Core Element of Policing
One key lesson both officers took away from their time in Dubai was the importance of maintaining mental and physical balance. For Ali, achieving work-life harmony in policing is difficult but essential. “I’ve written 73 poems in Urdu, Punjabi, and English. It’s my way of maintaining balance,” he shares, adding that he hopes to publish a collection that reflects not only his personal experiences but also the emotional side of police work.
Farooq, a disciplined individual by nature, credits his ability to manage his professional and personal life to time management and task discipline. He said that he and his wife share a fast-paced approach to life, which helps us find time for each other even during a demanding program like this.
Both officers participated in the diploma’s physical fitness challenges, noting the profound impact that physical fitness has on mental resilience. Farooq, who showed significant improvements in strength and endurance, believes that a fitter officer is not just physically stronger but also more adaptable in high-pressure situations.
Future of Policing in Pakistan
As Ali and Farooq prepare to return to Pakistan, they carry with them a renewed sense of purpose. Dubai Police’s model has reshaped their approach to law enforcement, offering them tangible strategies and ideas to implement in Pakistan.
Umar Farooq lauded Dubai Police for its seamless and effective approach to international cooperation: “There were no bureaucratic barriers in communicating with Dubai Police. Everything was smooth and responsive – unlike what we’ve seen in other models.”
Dubai Police has not only demonstrated what is possible through innovation and leadership; it has also set a precedent for global policing standards. As Ali and Farooq look toward the future, they are committed to ensuring that Pakistan’s National Police evolves in line with these progressive ideals.
Inspired by Dubai’s model of smart policing, Col. Kamran Ali and Col. Umar Farooq are committed to adapting it for Pakistan, believing that the future of policing is now. For them, smart policing, safe systems, and strong community ties are no longer just aspirational goals—they are necessary objectives that every law enforcement agency should strive to achieve.