Dubai: An Italian law enforcement officer has praised Dubai Police’s ability to combine innovation, operational excellence, and community focused policing, describing the organisation as a model that successfully balances technological advancement with public trust and service delivery.

Lieutenant Vincenzo Vecchione of the Italian Carabinieri shared his observations while participating in the third edition of the Professional Diploma in Policing Innovation and Leadership (PIL), organised by Dubai Police in collaboration with Rabdan Academy.

Representing Italy in the programme, Lieutenant Vecchione said one of the most striking aspects of his experience was witnessing how Dubai Police has integrated innovation into everyday policing while maintaining high standards of safety and security.

“What impressed me most was Dubai Police’s ability to provide very high standards of safety and security to the community while embracing a clear vision of innovation and modernisation,” he said.

Innovation Serving the Community

Lieutenant Vecchione highlighted the Smart Police Stations (SPS) as a practical example of how technology can be used to improve public services and enhance customer experience.

“I was particularly struck by the Smart Police Stations, which offer round the clock police services through a smart self-service model designed to ensure accessibility, efficiency, and privacy for the public,” he said.

He noted that Dubai Police’s broader use of advanced technologies demonstrates how modern policing can remain responsive to public needs while improving operational effectiveness.

“In my view, this reflects a policing model that successfully combines technological advancement, responsiveness, and a strong citizen oriented approach.”

Leadership Beyond Technology

Drawing on his experience as an officer in the Italian Carabinieri, one of Italy’s principal law enforcement institutions, Lieutenant Vecchione stressed that innovation alone is not enough to shape the future of policing.

“The most valuable lesson I gained was that innovation in policing is not only about technology, but about leadership, ethics, public trust, and the ability to manage change responsibly,” he said.

He added that the programme reinforced his belief that human judgement must remain central, particularly as law enforcement agencies continue introducing digital solutions and artificial intelligence into policing operations.

Exchange of Expertise

Throughout the diploma, Lieutenant Vecchione shared the Italian experience in territorial policing, criminal investigations, intelligence led operations, public order management, and cooperation with judicial authorities.

He also presented the unique role of the Carabinieri as a national police force with military status, combining military discipline with community based policing and investigative responsibilities.

According to Vecchione, Italy’s experience in combating organised crime, integrating preventive and investigative approaches, and maintaining close coordination between police forces and prosecutors contributed valuable perspectives to discussions among participants from different countries.

He explained that the military dimension of the Carabinieri develops adaptability, resilience, and the ability to perform effectively under pressure, qualities that enriched conversations on leadership and policing in challenging security environments.

Preparing for Tomorrow

Lieutenant Vecchione said the programme broadened his international outlook and strengthened his commitment to promoting a future focused approach to policing.

“This experience will influence my work by making me more attentive to the need to lead change in a structured way, and to evaluate innovation not only in technical terms but also in terms of governance, ethics, sustainability, and operational impact.”

Among the programme’s most impactful experiences was the Strategic Innovation Assignment (SIA) project, which challenged participants to transform theory into realistic strategic proposals within a limited timeframe.

“The project combined leadership, research, innovation, and practical application in one single exercise,” he said.

Looking ahead, Lieutenant Vecchione emphasised that international cooperation will play a decisive role in addressing increasingly complex security threats.

“Today’s threats are increasingly transnational, networked, and technologically enabled. Effective policing will therefore depend on trusted partnerships, intelligence sharing, joint training, and interoperable frameworks.”

Vecchione further described the programme as “a highly demanding and deeply enriching experience” that strengthened his leadership perspective and confirmed that the future of policing lies in the responsible integration of innovation, professionalism, and international cooperation.