• Answered their questions with transparency, shared his professional journey, and guided them towards career advancement
• Our wise leadership believes in proactive and positive young people within their institutions and communities
• "We are committed to empowering you... and we urge you to care for your families and honour your parents"
• Told the youth: "You are the wealth... and we want you in the highest positions"
• Dubai Police Academy graduates are a positive influence in their families and communities before their institutions.
• We are fortunate to have you; you have the capabilities and competencies to excel locally and globally
• Dubai Police youth have led 15 projects and received 139,000 career incentives
• Youth submitted 233,000 ideas, registered 11 patents, and 1,331 intellectual works
• Dubai Police is the first government entity whose youth hold seats on 4 of 7 federal councils, representing 57%
• 211 participations in local and international awards between 2021 and 2025

Dubai: In a gathering that reflected the closeness of the "leader and father" to his children, and his care for their future, professional growth, and family excellence, His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, met with the force's youth as part of International Youth Week activities, organised by the Young Leaders Council in conjunction with International Youth Day.

During the meeting, Lt. Gen. Al Marri listened to their aspirations and answered their questions with transparency, drawing on valuable lessons from his personal and professional journey. He offered them a wealth of guidance to help shape their future, advance their careers, and become role models in serving their nation and its wise leadership.

During the event, held as part of the "Inspiring Leaders" initiative, the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police emphasised the importance of family, particularly as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family. His heartfelt message to the youth was: "We are committed to empowering you, and we urge you to care for your families and honour your parents." He also shared aspects of his personal and family life that he upholds with his own children, sending a clear message about the importance of family and the value of being a source of support for it.

The meeting was attended by more than 230 young men and women from Dubai Police across various general departments and police stations. Lt. Gen. Al Marri reaffirmed the importance of youth efforts and their potential in realising the vision and aspirations of Dubai Police, which is always keen to support, empower, and involve them in various initiatives and work teams. He noted that the number of young people at Dubai Police has reached 10,901, all working diligently across a wide range of specialisations.

Lt. Gen. Al Marri highlighted the exceptional and ambitious capabilities of young people, citing 2017 and the early days of the Young Leaders Council as an example. He recalled asking them to present a small number of feasible suggestions from their perspective, only for them to exceed expectations by presenting more than 180 proposals and projects.

Leading Projects and Work Teams
Lt. Gen. Al Marri affirmed the pioneering role of youth in professional excellence and in leading projects and work teams. According to statistics from the Young Leaders Council, between 2022 and 2025, young employees successfully led 15 projects. During the same period, young employees received 139,225 career incentives, 754 grade adjustments, and 1,719 promotions.

Additionally, 11 patents and 1,331 intellectual works were registered by young people. They also submitted 233,297 ideas between 2020 and 2025, of which 56,356 were implemented, with 1,305 employees recognised for their pioneering ideas.

Dubai Police is the first government entity whose youth hold seats on 4 of 7 federal councils, representing 57%. Dubai Police also won the award for Best Entity in Youth Empowerment at the Minister of Interior's Excellence Awards for the sixth and seventh consecutive cycles. The total participation of Dubai Police youth in local and international awards reached 211 between 2021 and 2025.

Message: Our Wise Leadership Believes in Your Capabilities
Lt. Gen. Al Marri inaugurated the meeting by affirming that the UAE's wise leadership—led by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai—believes in the capabilities of proactive and positive young people within their institutions and communities.

He added: "We always remind all Dubai Police Academy graduates that they are a positive influence in their families and communities before their institutions. They must embody the Emirati character wherever they go, represent the Government of Dubai and Dubai Police in the best possible manner, and remain loyal to the police emblem they wear, to the Government of Dubai, and to the UAE."

Professional Experiences and Personal Challenges
During the meeting, Lt. Gen. Al Marri shared valuable experiences from his personal and professional journey, beginning with his time as a player at Al Nasr Club, then joining Dubai Police General Command in 1992, specifically in the VIP Protection Department, then part of the General Department of Protective Security and Emergency. He spoke about the challenges and experiences that helped him build extensive practical expertise.

Lt. Gen. Al Marri recounted the experience he gained over 35 years in VIP protection and accompanying prominent figures, most notably His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, particularly during the inaugurating of various pioneering projects across the emirate. He affirmed that he learned from His Highness the most important qualities a leader should embody: humility, humanity, compassion, and closeness to people.

He also shared professional challenges and inspiring examples, and how they were transformed into opportunities that enhanced work quality, decision-making, and institutional impact.

You Are Our Children...
During the meeting, Lt. Gen. Al Marri reaffirmed his constant care for the youth, saying: "Rest assured that Dubai Police always cares for you. I do not treat you as a commander, but as a father to his children. We are always committed to empowering you, and this approach is rooted in our wise leadership."

He stressed that Dubai Police is counting on young people as "change-makers" who possess a wealth of experience, emphasising the commitment to involving youth in select projects, as well as conferences and seminars worldwide.

AI and Work Teams
While answering a range of questions, Lt. Gen. Al Marri urged the youth to embrace modern technology and artificial intelligence (AI), keep pace with rapid developments in the field, and build the expertise needed to adapt to change. He called on them to become a valuable addition in this domain, present ideas that drive societal change, and strengthen leadership and excellence within their institution, stressing full support for youth ideas and complete confidence in them.

He also encouraged the youth to actively participate in work teams and remain positive in proposing ideas and improvements, while underscoring the importance of cohesive teamwork in achieving goals and accomplishments and advising against resistance to change.

Guidance: Put the Idea on the Table and Implement It
Lt. Gen. Al Marri urged the youth to put forward any feasible idea, begin working on it immediately, and never allow obstacles to stand in their way or leave ideas locked away in drawers. He highlighted the importance of leveraging personal and professional experience to implement developmental projects and ideas that advance both individual and institutional growth. He also encouraged them to listen carefully to their supervisors and their guidance, as this supports their professional development.

Female Personnel and an Inspiring Experience
During the meeting, Lt. Gen. Al Marri noted the role of the female workforce at Dubai Police across various fields, including project leadership. He highlighted the efforts of one of the participants, Lieutenant Engineer Mariam Rashid from the General Department of Logistical Support, who spoke about leading the Energy Efficiency Improvement Project in Dubai Police premises since 2019. The project focuses on renewable energy, and she has successfully completed its first phase and begun implementing the second.

Lt. Gen. Al Marri stressed that Dubai Police values the ideas and achievements of those capable of driving change. He highlighted the efforts of several inspiring figures behind Dubai Police projects, such as the Positive Spirit Initiative, the Data Analysis Centre, and the "Oyoon" project.

You Are the Wealth...
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police addressed the youth, saying: "We at Dubai Police General Command are fortunate to have you. You are capable and possess the competencies and specialisations that enable us to excel locally and globally. We possess a wealth, and that wealth is you. We want you to take Dubai Police and the Government of Dubai to the highest levels." He expressed his hope to always see them in high positions, presenting outstanding initiatives and steering Dubai Police confidently towards the future.