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Horseback Police are back in Abu Dhabi

In the first phase, 60 mounted policemen will be patrolling the streets of the Capital city.

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Policemen on horseback will be patrolling the streets of various cities of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi after a decade's gap.
Major-General Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, said mounted police are being brought back to patrol the streets of various cities, ten years after the force was withdrawn.
"The mounted police will be equipped with all the modern arrangements and training will be provided to them, to assure that they can discharge their duty in the best manner," he said. Relaunched on a trial basis now, mounted police will be deployed in all the cities of the emirate with 300 policemen.

Notable Mounted Police of the World -Royal Canadian Mounted Police: Popularly known as the "Mounties", the RCMP was founded in 1920 and provides law enforcement at a federal level across Canada. Although horses are no longer used operationally, the mounted legacy of the RCMP remains through its ceremonial "Musical Ride" conducted by 32 members of the force. Horses are also regularly used in law enforcement duties by provincial police forces throughout Canada. -New South Wales Mounted Police: A part of the New South Wales Police Force in Australia, the NSW Mounted Police has over 30 officers and almost 40 horses which are used for policing duties including traffic and crowd control, and ceremonial protocol duties. -United States Border Patrol: Over 300 horses are in duty with American border patrol officers, and help intercept illegal aliens and contraband along areas of rough terrain on the Mexican and Canadian borders. -Royal Oman Police: The ROP use horses (and camels) to patrol areas inaccessible to police vehicles, and can also be regularly seen patrolling beaches in the Muscat area.

The trial will begin in the Capital with 60 policemen on horseback, and later they will be expanded to Al Ain city and neighbourhoods. As part of the third phase, the mounted policemen will be deployed in the cities of the Western region.
"The force will be supporting the other police agencies in their missions. The revival of the force will serve the security system in the emirate, and will protect the residents from crime in a better way," he noted.
"Even a sight of cops on horseback patrolling the neighbourhoods and residential areas will give the people the feeling of being safe," he said.
"The continuous progress being witnessed by the Abu Dhabi Police General Directorate on various fields reflect the systematic perspective and scientific strategy being implemented, according to the best international practices," Maj.-Gen. Al Rumaithi said.
During a visit to the mounted police force, he urged the policemen to exert maximum efforts to achieve the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Police.
A number of policemen expressed their delight over being part of the team, saying it is important for them to be vigilant to prevent crimes.
Assistant mounted cop Nasser Al Junaibi said they are being welcomed happily by the residents during their patrols.
"They feel safe and happy when they see policemen next to their doors," he said.
"The Abu Dhabi Police have provided us all the training programmes as per the best international standards," said Sergeant Ahmed Al Dhahouri.
Corporal Ali Taeb Al Zaraai said they were trained on horse-riding and other necessary security measures.
Mounted police in Abu Dhabi
Patrols of mounted police started in Abu Dhabi in 1974. During the patrols in the evening, the policemen used to receive complaints and suggestions from the public.
However, the force was withdrawn in 2006. After the revival, the force works under the Special Tasks Department of the Guards and Special Tasks General Directorate.
Besides the regular patrols the force will be present at the major landmarks, festival spots, at the stadiums during popular matches and at the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque during Eid prayers.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com