Dubai: Captain Gustavo Henrique Rocha Bonifacio, a Director of Innovation at the Military Police of São Paulo State in Brazil, has expressed his deep admiration for Dubai Police, describing the force as a personal and professional source of inspiration and a global model in combining innovation, leadership and community trust.  

He said Dubai Police has succeeded in building an ecosystem that brings together advanced technology and a strong human touch, adding that its ability to blend innovation with close community engagement represents an important lesson for police agencies around the world. He noted that Dubai Police has proved that policing can be intelligent and very close to people at the same time.  

Captain Bonifacio represented Brazil in the second edition of the Police Innovation and International Leadership Diploma, known as PIL, which Dubai Police organised in cooperation with Rochester Institute of Technology. He explained that what impressed him most was the way Dubai Police maintains strong links with the community despite its leadership in modernisation and digital transformation.

He said that Dubai Police services are extremely advanced, yet the relationship with the public remains honest, human and genuine. He added that it is clear innovation in Dubai is not limited to systems and technologies but aims at its core to improve people’s lives.  

Captain Bonifacio also highlighted the activities of the Positive Spirit Council, describing them as a complete model of community policing that brings together different segments of society and reinforces values of tolerance and cooperation. He said he had witnessed Dubai Police organising interactive events that bring together people from diverse backgrounds, raise community awareness and strengthen the spirit of tolerance. Through simple yet inspiring activities and events, Dubai Police has succeeded in building trust and introducing its services in a way that is close to people’s hearts.  

With around twenty years of service in the Military Police of São Paulo State, Captain Bonifacio now heads the Innovation Department at the General Headquarters of the force. He previously served as a commander of firefighting units and as an officer in field patrols, which gave him a deep understanding of the importance of coordination and rapid response in emergencies. He explained that in São Paulo, the fire service comes under the police, which allowed him to work on both sides and strengthened his belief in the importance of innovation and integration in saving lives.  

Speaking about his participation in the PIL Diploma, Captain Bonifacio said the programme broadened his professional horizons and gave him a clearer vision of the future of policing. He added that the diploma provided him with a deeper understanding of global policing and in particular of the culture of innovation at Dubai Police. What impressed him most were the shared values between Dubai Police and Brazilian policing, especially the belief in continuous improvement, efficiency and service to the community.  
He affirmed that the Military Police in São Paulo has made significant progress in embedding a culture of innovation, explaining that after two decades of service he can confidently say that innovation has become part of the institution’s identity. The force has constantly evolved to provide services that are more efficient, more humane and more transparent. He stressed that this commitment to development is a key value that links São Paulo’s Military Police with Dubai Police.  

Captain Bonifacio thanked Dubai Police and the organisers of the PIL Diploma. He said he learnt from Dubai Police that true innovation goes beyond technology and that leadership and human communication lie at the heart of institutional development. Dubai Police, he concluded, has shown that a police force can be global in its vision and human in its dealings with people, and has become an international role model for what modern policing should be.