Today: 2 August 2025
5 May 2022
3 mins read

K9 Unit: Enforcing law with a bite

The Dubai Police K9 Unit carried out 2,830 missions in 2021, including 879 special missions to secure the global event Expo 2020 Dubai before and after the grand opening…reports Asian Lite News

The missions consisted of 1321 security checks, 542 COVID-19 screenings, 480 guard duties, 381 security patrols, 53 anti-drug operations, 30 lead tracking, 20 raids, and 11 fire detections.

Major Salah Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Director of Dubai Police Security Inspection K9 Unit, confirmed that the unit operates with 63 professional trainers and 73 canines of six different breeds. These include German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Malinois dogs, English Springers, Labrador Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels.

Breeds-based Missions “Missions and tasks are distributed among canines based on their specialities. German and Dutch Shepherds and Malinois dogs handle guarding duties, lead tracking and detection of all kinds as they are known for being more resilient. On the other hand, English Springer, Labrador Retriever, and Cocker Spaniel specialise in recovering hidden narcotics and explosives, uncovering dead bodies, searching for missing persons, and tracking possessions and flaming materials,” Maj. Al Mazrouei stated.

Recruitment and Retirement “A specialised committee has been formed to run tests to handle canine recruitments based on their instincts to undertake policing missions and handle the workload. Canines join the Dubai Police team at ten months or 18 months of age and serve the force for seven more years,” Maj. Al Mazrouei continued.

“During their years of service, K9s undergo medical check-ups and performance tests to determine their capabilities to conduct police work. If Dubai Police veterinarians or canines’ trainers provide reasons for necessary retirement, the dogs are placed for adoption under certain conditions. We get many applications from among the public who are dog lovers,” he elaborated.

K9 Missions Capt. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Head of the Security Missions Section, said that K9s are a vital aspect of policing operations, including search and rescue missions, lead tracking, and guarding.

“Each canine has his/her speciality based on its breed. There are ones that excel in tracking leads, others in searching for missing persons by their scent, and yet others in uncovering dead bodies and body parts despite the time of death or the depth of their burial,” Cap. Al Suwaidi explained.

“Some canines are assigned for anti-narcotics missions to detect narcotics, psychotropic substances such as weeds, opium, marijuana, hallucinations drugs, amphetamine, heroin, cocaine, etc. During the mission, K9s sniff out concealed drugs,” he continued.

“We dispatched canines to determine if a fire breakout is to be considered an arson case by sniffing out gasoline, diesel, or kerosene,” the Head of Security Missions Section added.

ALSO READ:Dubai Expo awards SMEs with Dh6.8 bn contracts

COVID-19 Sniffers Major Al Mazrouei also pointed out the Dubai Police K9 Unit’s efforts in combating COVID-19.

“K9 sniffer dogs have been stationed at airports across the country to help detect traces of the coronavirus from passenger sweat samples with 92 per cent accuracy,” Maj. Al Mazrouei added “We have trained 38 canines, including German Shepherds, Labradors, Cocker Spaniels and Border Collies, to recognise the scent of COVID-19 using samples of sweat from people with confirmed infections, collected by holding a swab in an armpit for a few minutes. But there is no direct contact between the canines and the passengers,” he explained.

7923 Training Hours Capt. Saud Sultan Al Suwaidi, Head of Technical Affairs and Training Department, attributed the success of the K9 Unit to lengthy training sessions that accumulated to 7,923 hours for both canines and their trainers over 2021.

Previous Story

‘UAE Armed Forces’ contributions will endure over next 50 years’

Next Story

Emirati, Arab literary favourites to converge in Sharjah

Latest from -Top News

IBPC Dubai charts new growth path

Former Tata Motors CEO Ravi Kant headlines exclusive event as Indian business council sets course for transformation….reports Asian Lite News The Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai has signalled a significant

Miles in the Malls!

Dubai Mallathon kicks off today – The emirate’s biggest malls transform into indoor fitness arenas, inviting residents to walk, run, and win — all while staying cool, healthy, and community-connected….reports Asian Lite

Famine grips Gaza, WHO warns

WHO said Gaza’s population is facing acute food insecurity under the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification…reports Asian Lite News The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued its starkest warning yet about the

Lifeline from UAE to Gaza

UAE’s Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 sustains Gaza’s collapsing health system with hospitals, treatment, aid, and vaccines, offering vital relief to thousands amid deepening crisis….reports Asian Lite News The United Arab Emirates has

Modi, MBZ talk big ties

The call reaffirmed their keenness to “strengthen relations in line with their shared vision to leverage opportunities and deepen strategic cooperation.”…reports Asian Lite News In a significant diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UAE’s TradeTech Push Takes Centre Stage in Davos 

UAE accelerates the future of trade with AI, blockchain, and

UAE Astronaut Al Neyadi’s Return To Earth Set For Sept. 3

The longest Arab space mission in history was launched on