Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announces new law for Police Academy: 5-year service rule, new degrees, AI training and more

In March 2026, Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law No. (7) of 2026 governing the Dubai Police Academy, introducing sweeping reforms to modernise police education, expand research capabilities and align training with cutting-edge technology.

“Dubai has taken another step toward strengthening its global reputation for security and innovation”

The Times of India

The law replaces the academy’s 2005 framework and defines it as a centre of excellence for policing, legal and security education, tasked with preparing highly qualified personnel for police forces as well as security and military institutions.

The Times of India

A central element is the creation of a Board of Trustees, the academy’s highest governing authority, with a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and members drawn from policing, law, security and academia.

The board will oversee the academy’s strategic direction and administrative affairs, approving strategic development plans, education and training policies, academic programmes, and standards for academic degrees, as well as supervising budgets and governance.

The Times of India

The law also creates a Scientific Council, chaired by the academy’s dean and including assistant deans, heads of departments and faculty representatives, to handle academic and research matters and propose policies, review programmes and develop research standards.

The law expands the academy’s academic framework with new degree paths: bachelor’s degrees in Law and Police Sciences; Law; and Security and Criminal Sciences; higher diplomas in Law, Police Sciences and Security Sciences; and master’s degrees in law, policing or security sciences, plus doctoral programmes and professional certificates and technical qualifications tailored to security needs.

“Dubai has taken another step toward strengthening its global reputation for security and innovation”

The Times of India

A notable provision requires students nominated to study at the academy to serve in the police force for at least five years after graduation, with exemptions possible in exceptional cases by the Commander-in-Chief, and repayment of education costs and allowances if a student withdraws, fails to complete, or does not fulfil the service obligation.

The law also mandates a complete digital transformation of the academy’s operations, mandating artificial intelligence, virtual reality, advanced simulation systems and smart digital learning platforms to create immersive training and align with Dubai’s goal of smart governance and AI-driven public services.

The Times of India