Dubai: Sergeant Omar Muslim Aflatoon has lost count of the number of languages he has spoken while wearing the Dubai Police badge.Some conversations happen in Arabic. Others in English, Urdu or Bengali. Sometimes he switches to languages he knows just a little – Tagalog, Malayalam or even basic sign language … whatever it takes to communicate with the people who seek help from Dubai Police.His colleague, First Corporal Ahmed Mohammed Salem, does much the same, moving between Arabic, English, Hindi and German while helping residents who call Dubai Police’s Command and Control Centre on 999, often in some of the most stressful moments.For the two officers, the ability to assist people in a language they understand is one of the most effective tools for building trust in one of the world's most multicultural cities.The two officers were recently honoured by Dubai Police in recognition for their work in spreading awareness among different communities in Dubai, at events that are organised under the umbrella of Dubai Police's Positive Spirit Council events.The events help residents from different nationalities learn more about Dubai Police’s work in keeping the city safe and encourage them to reach out to Dubai Police when needed. Sergeant Omar and First Corporal Ahmed have played a key role in spearheading the outreach effortsBuilding trustPolicing in a city like Dubai, which is home to people from all across the world, requires officers to regularly interact with different nationalities. For Sergeant Omar, who joined the police force in 1989, being multilingual was a natural result of growing up in a city like Dubai.“I push myself to talk to people even if I don’t know their language very well. Over time, little by little, I am able to talk to them. That’s why I can also speak a little bit of Tagalog, Malayalam, Russian … even sign language.” - Sergeant Omar Muslim Aflatoon Photo credit: Ashok Verma“While I studied at a public school and mostly spoke Arabic, a lot of my friends in my neighbourhood, and those I’d play football with, were from India and Pakistan,” he said.Growing up, he would see his father – who was also a Dubai Police officer, wear his uniform – something that inspired him to join the police force as well“Since I saw the uniform on him, and the respect people showed to that uniform and to my father, I said to myself that I will also join Dubai Police,” he said.As a young officer, Sergeant Omar first joined the Criminal Investigation Department at the Al Muraqqabat Police Station, before moving to the security department. Since 2004, though, he has been part of Dubai Police’s traffic department and as part of the Positive Spirit Council, he delivers awareness lectures in Arabic, English, Urdu, and Bengali.“I push myself to talk to people even if I don’t know their language very well. Over time, little by little, I am able to talk to them. That’s why I can also speak a little bit of Tagalog, Malayalam, Russian … even sign language,” he said.That’s because even as English is often considered the international language, many people are only able to communicate in their mother tongue, according to Sergeant Omar. This motivates him to make a conscious effort to put people at ease, as they may have a mix of anxiety approaching the police as well as the worry of facing a language barrier.“When people come to us, we try to make their experience easy, we even try to crack jokes, because I know many people might assume that policemen can seem unapproachable, but here in Dubai we are very friendly with everybody. This is why Dubai Police’s communication with other nationalities is excellent,” he said.Speaking calmly in a crisisFirst Corporal Ahmed’s journey, too, started at an early age, when he joined Dubai Police in 2006 at the age of 18, fulfilling his childhood dream.“I try to learn the language enough so that I can have a basic conversation with the people who call us. They are often in an emergency and you have to help them." - First Corporal Ahmed Mohammed SalemEver since he joined the police force, he has worked in the Command and Control Centre – 999, coordinating emergency responses, dispatching patrols and ambulances, and helping save lives.As a child, First Corporal Ahmed loved watching Indian movies, and that was his first introduction to the Hindi language.“I had friends from India and Pakistan, and I learned from them as well. After I joined Dubai Police, I also took a one-year course to study German, so it allows me to help people who speak German when they call us,” he said.Over the years, he has also picked up other languages, as he works to support people who reach out to Dubai Police through the 999 emergency number.“I try to learn the language enough so that I can have a basic conversation with the people who call us. They are often in an emergency and you have to help them,” he said.Working as a teamThe two officers also go back a long way. As the two joined the Positive Spirit Council events, they realised that their fathers, too, were good friends.Over the years, they have supported each other, with Sergeant Omar encouraging and supporting First Corporal Ahmed during the massive events that are organised by the Positive Spirit Council to reach out to different communities.“I love him like he's my friend and a big brother. I learn from him, to be honest,” Ahmed said.The outreach also helps break any mental barriers community members may have that stops them from approaching the police.“Some people may be afraid when they see the police uniform, but at the event, as we’re wearing regular clothes, they come to us more freely and tell us if they have an issue,” Sergeant Omar said.Residents ask about everything from traffic fines and legal procedures to family concerns or police cases.If they don't have the answer themselves, the officers connect them with the relevant Dubai Police department — whether Traffic, Human Rights, CID, Anti-Narcotics or another specialist unit."Our main target is just one – to help people," Sergeant Omar said.Keeping Dubai safe, togetherFirst Corporal Ahmed also spoke about how many of the conversations focus on simple but potentially life-saving advice. At the events, he regularly explains when residents should call 999 for emergencies and when 901 should be used for non-emergency police services.During the recent regional tensions, he also recorded a short public awareness video urging people not to make videos of any incidents and to stay away from falling debris. The video, he says, garnered millions of views."It came from my heart," he said."The response was incredible because people understood that we simply wanted everyone to stay safe."Both officers spoke about how the Positive Spirit Council events address a key requirement for any city to stay safe – the police and the community working together.A shared responsibility“If people see something that is wrong or illegal, they may get scared. Our job is to give them the confidence and belief that they don’t need to be scared. We are with you,” First Corporal Ahmed said.“We love people, and whether one wears a uniform or not, we are all human. I have to respect you. Today, if I give you that respect, tomorrow, you will respond to it. If you see something wrong, you’ll reach out. This is our main target – ensuring people’s happiness. This is your city, too, so help us keep it safe,” he added.Sargeant Omar agreed, recalling a common phrase he uses during his awareness programmes.“There is a saying in Urdu that you can’t clap with just one hand. One hand is the government and the police. The other hand is the community. When we work together, we can keep Dubai safe," he said.What is the Positive Spirit Council?Launched in 2017 by Dubai Police as a community initiative, the Positive Spirit Council promotes safety, social cohesion and quality of life across Dubai. It brings together residents through sports, cultural and awareness programmes designed to strengthen tolerance, cooperation and a sense of belonging. Targeting groups ranging from youth and families to workers and senior citizens, the initiative supports proactive community policing while helping address negative behaviours in residential neighbourhoods.
