( MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Published: Mon 3 Jun 2024, 3:49 PM Last updated: Mon 3 Jun 2024, 10:06 PM Despite disapproval from his family, Maj-Gen. Ismail Abdullah Al Gergawi joined the Dubai Police in 1966. The veteran officer, who retired in 2004, was just a teenager when he joined the force.
"When I first joined the police force, it wasn't considered a very popular career choice. My family was against it," Al Gergawi told Khaleej Times. "But I was determined to serve my community, and I loved military work.
There was no army, and when the police were established I joined them." The retired officer was among those recognised by the Dubai Police during a ceremony to mark the force's 68th anniversary. Stay up to date with the latest news.
Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. In the early days, the Dubai Police Force was composed of members from diverse nationalities. "Citizens at that time did not want to work in the Dubai Police, because it was something new and strange to them," explained Al Gergawi.
"Some joined the police, spent a week or 10 days, and then left." However, Al Gergawi persevered, and over time, more Emirati citizens joined the force. "Four years later, more and more citizens came forward," he said.
"I continued working for more than 30 years, in operations, police stations, and traffic. I was also the director of the Dubai Police Academy." Over the years, Al Gergawi remained close with his colleagues from the early days of the Dubai Police.
One of his long-time fr.