Thrill-seeking Tourists and Police Officers – Dubai's High-Speed Patrol Vehicles
- By Stefan Grundhoff
Luxury Vehicles for Visitors: Dubai Police's High-Performance Cars - Luxury Rides for Tourists: Dubai's Police Force Showcases High-End Supercars
For close to 2 decades, a unique law enforcement unit in Dubai has graced the roads with eye-popping super sports cars that shatter all perceived price and performance limits. Instead of pursuing lawbreakers or traffic rule-breakers, these police officers serve as tourism ambassadors and photo-worthy landmarks in the United Arab Emirates. With the increasing presence of electric cars in their roster, both the officers and the tourists remain exhilarated – as long as the horsepower impresses.
Patrolling Popular Tourist Spots
On duty today at "The Frame," the world's largest picture frame since 2018 and a prominent Dubai attraction, Ali Yousif arrives with fellow officers from headquarters to present the latest automotive jaw-droppers. As the sun sinks, and the scorching temperatures finally dip below the 40-degree mark, Ali, dressed in his ceremonial uniform, comes to the northern part of the desert metropolis.
The 39-year-old policeman has served in Dubai's elite unit for two decades but tales a different path from the UAE-SWAT, which covertly battles organized crime and smugglers. His role is more Hollywood-esque, and the green uniform suits him impeccably.
The Supercar Fleet Origin Story
Today, Ali drives the flashy 918-horsepower electric Lotus Emeya. This vehicle is part of the supercar fleet that has been under the Dubai Police's watch for years. "It all started in 2001," the burly officer recalls, "We currently have 18 cars in our supercar fleet."
The fleet boasts a long list of luxury rides, including the Ferrari Gran Lusso, Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Panamera, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Continental, BMW 8 Series Coupe, and Mercedes AMG GT. Ali stealthily navigates the electric Lotus while his colleagues are on duty in other luxury cars such as the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Mansory, Bentley Continental GT, Audi R8, and a Tesla Cybertruck.
Automakers Support the Luxury Patrol Vehicles
Automakers from across the globe feverishly vie to outfit this extraordinary special unit with their extravagant – and expensive – high-speed patrol vehicles. "We are the tourist police and thus the face of our country," explains Ali, "There are no high-speed pursuits with the supercars; those are our colleagues' jobs."
Sibling rivalry among colleagues over who gets to sit behind the wheel of which supercar? Nonexistent, with the multi-million dollar vehicles being allocated via a standard duty roster – identical to that of other patrol vehicles, like the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, or Nissan Patrol.
Lamborghini – The Police's Partner in Arms
Since many years, Lamborghini has generously supplied Dubai Police with attention-grabbing patrol vehicles. One of their latest offerings is a 666-horsepower Urus Performante, capable of reaching speeds of 306 km/h. The Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief, General Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, stated, "The powerful Super-SUV will assist Dubai Police in serving the residents more efficiently, maintaining social security, and providing services at popular tourist destinations."
In addition to the standard white-green paint jobs, these patrol vehicles are equipped with blue LED lights and additional features such as a weapons safe, first aid kit, or defibrillator for added safety. In case of emergencies, these high-powered vehicles can whisk officers to one of Dubai's many hospitals at breakneck speeds.
Regular training on various vehicles helps officers swiftly deploy and effectively utilize the vehicles' robust power, ensuring their service in the Supercar unit is but one of many roles within the local force. Officers frequently rotate duties and units. Ali Yousif is currently delighted to be serving in the Supercar unit, alongside his fellow officers.
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- Presence at tourist areas: Supercars are often stationed at popular tourist spots like the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Jumeirah Beach Residence[1][3][4]. They capture tourists' attention, providing a uniquely memorable experience.
- Interaction and engagement: Cars function as conversation starters, enabling the police to chat with tourists and share information about the city[4][5]. These interactions foster positive feelings towards the police force and create a sense of community.
- Displaying Dubai's Affluence and Innovation: By showcasing these high-end vehicles, Dubai highlights its affluence and forward-thinking approach to policing, boosting the city's reputation as a modern, innovative destination[4].
- Positive Perception: Supercars support a positive view of Dubai and its police force, symbolizing openness, friendliness, and a commitment to community policing[4][5].
- Strengthening International Relations: The supercars aid in fostering goodwill worldwide, enhancing Dubai's status as a global tourist destination[5].
- Innovative Policing Strategy: Incorporating electric luxury vehicles like the Lotus Emeya S into the fleet aligns with Dubai's strategy to modernize policing methods and promote sustainability[5].
- The unique law enforcement unit in Dubai, known for its high-speed super sports cars, serves not only as enforcers but also as tourism ambassadors, contributing to the UAE's appeal.
- The supercar fleet, which includes cars from, among others, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes, boasts an impressive 18 vehicles.
- Automakers compete to have their extravagant and expensive high-speed patrol vehicles included in the Dubai Police's supercar fleet, acknowledging the unit's significant role in showcasing the country.
- Ali Yousif, a Dubai police officer, drives the 918-horsepower electric Lotus Emeya, showcasing Dubai's commitment to sustainability.
- Regarding siblings' rivalry over who gets to drive the supercars, Ali explained that the vehicles are allocated via a standard duty roster, just like other patrol vehicles.
- Lamborghini, a significant partner of Dubai Police, supplied them with patrol vehicles like the 666-horsepower Urus Performante, capable of reaching speeds of 306 km/h.
- Apart from being used for patrol, the supercars serve as eye-catching symbols of the city's affluence, modernity, and commitment to innovation, appealing to thrill-seeking tourists and promoting positive perceptions of the police force and the UAE.
SWAT
