‘Some people ask me to handcuff them just so they can ride in one of our luxury cars!’ said a policewoman who patrols Dubai in one of its supercars.

This is Dubai’s Tourist Police, which is striving to build an ‘informal and spontaneous’ relationship with tourists and residents.

The above-mentioned anecdote is just one of several such incidents experienced by the tourist police on their daily patrols.

The police officers who travel Dubai behind the wheel of a supercar tread a fine line between courteousness with tourists and their professional work, which requires skills and accuracy.

Second Lieutenant, Maitha Al Muhairi, says: ‘Tourists sometimes ask me whether I work as a model.  That is when I smile and tell them that I work with Dubai Police.’

These police patrols are usually found around Dubai’s popular tourist spots, giving newcomers to the city, a sense of safety and well-being.

First Sergeant, Hamda Al Jasmi, says: ‘I love my job, and not because I drive a luxurious car, but rather for the bridging the gap between tourists and Dubai Police.’

First Lieutenant, Khalifa Bin Humaidan, adds: ‘We love to reach people before they reach us.’