Dubai Police Academy Launches Pioneering Master’s Programme in Police and Security Leadership
A transformative educational initiative bringing together international expertise to cultivate the next generation of security leaders, underpinned by the visionary philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has witnessed the signing of a landmark cooperation agreement establishing the Mohammed bin Rashid Master in Police and Security Leadership programme. This inaugural initiative represents a significant milestone in institutionalising police and security leadership excellence within a specialised academic and practical framework.
The agreement, signed during the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, brings together the Dubai Police Academy, the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, Georgetown University, the New York Police Department and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in a distinctive international partnership. The forum, attended by 1,000 government and private sector leaders, reinforced Dubai’s position as a global hub for leadership innovation and management excellence.
The twelve-month Master’s programme comprises thirty credit hours across eight modules, weaving together the visionary leadership philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with rigorous academic instruction and practical field experience. Curriculum areas encompass governance and innovation, strategic leadership, foresight and decision-making, alongside transformation and security crisis leadership. The programme integrates Shadow Leadership elements, international experience components and applied projects that translate theoretical knowledge into tangible institutional impact.
Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, affirmed the programme as an extension of Dubai Police’s commitment to investing in human capital and nurturing leaders capable of anticipating transformation. He emphasised that the philosophy of His Highness transcends conventional leadership doctrine, representing a comprehensive school of thought that has demonstrably elevated ambition, instilled proactive culture and translated vision into achievement across Dubai’s institutions.
The international partnership framework assigns specialised expertise across each partner institution. The Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst contributes historical expertise in high-pressure decision-making and disciplined leadership. Georgetown University provides strategic analysis and public policy development within complex environments. The New York Police Department shares operational leadership experience and urban security management. UNITAR offers international perspectives on cross-border collaboration and emerging global security challenges.
Brigadier Dr. Sultan Abdul Hamid Al Jamal, Director of the Dubai Police Academy, explained that the programme represents a paradigm shift from theoretical study towards active capability building in real-world environments. The seamless integration of academic curricula with practical leadership tracks, senior official dialogues and applied projects ensures knowledge translates directly into institutional solutions that elevate police and security operations.
The programme targets existing and promising leaders across police, security, military and government entities, alongside selected leaders in fields encompassing decision-making, national security, crisis management, digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications within security environments. Applications open in October 2026, with classes commencing on 4 January 2027, a date coinciding with the Accession Day of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Beyond conferring an academic degree, the initiative generates applied research, case studies and a police and security leadership guidebook, contributing to documenting and sharing Dubai’s expertise with the international community.
Source: WAM