Dubai Customs, in collaboration with the Dubai Police Academy, has announced the graduation of the first cohort of participants from its Customs Inspector Training Program, marking a key step in efforts to enhance integrated border protection and national security.
The ceremony, attended by Brigadier Dr Sultan Abdul Hamid Al Jamal, Director of Dubai Police Academy, and Khamis Al Muhairi, Acting Director of Human Resources at Dubai Customs, celebrated the achievements of 84 young Emiratis who recently completed an intensive security refresher course.
The program is part of a broader strategy to empower national talent, particularly recent high school graduates, by training them to take on the role of customs inspectors across the country’s ports. The initiative reflects Dubai Customs’ commitment to strengthening frontline security and aligning with Dubai’s broader D33 economic and social agenda.
The training was delivered under the supervision of Dubai Police security experts, and included field workshops, practical exercises, and real-world scenario-based training. Key areas of focus included behavioral analysis, body language interpretation, and the identification of high-risk shipments, equipping the new recruits with tools to detect smuggling attempts and other threats.
Speaking at the event, Brigadier Dr Sultan Al Jamal described the program as a “pioneering model” in integrating customs and security operations. “The Dubai Police Academy is proud to collaborate with Dubai Customs to qualify and prepare national cadres with advanced skills to meet modern security challenges,” he said. “This partnership supports national directives aimed at protecting the homeland and maintaining stability across our ports.”
The course also emphasized loyalty, compliance, and situational readiness, ensuring that inspectors are not only technically prepared but also aligned with the values and responsibilities of their roles.
Mohammed Al Ghafari, Executive Director for Human Resources at Dubai Customs, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative. “Customs inspectors are the first line of defense at our ports,” he said. “This program is designed to build integrated professional competencies that can address evolving threats through both technical training and physical readiness.”
Al Ghafari noted that Dubai Customs has made significant investments in modern inspection training, including techniques in advanced smuggling detection, and is committed to adopting the best international practices to protect the national economy.
Yasser Al-Muslimi, Senior Customs Affairs Consultant and Supervisor of the Customs Inspection Division, emphasized the importance of cross-government collaboration. “Our cooperation with the Dubai Police Academy reflects our shared goal of raising the security readiness of customs staff,” he said. “It enhances our national protection system by ensuring that all inspectors, whether at sea, land, or air ports, are fully equipped to handle a wide range of scenarios.”
He added that this initiative is part of a sustainable training strategy aimed at developing future-ready personnel capable of safeguarding Dubai’s role as a global trade hub.
