Contributions and Accomplishments continue as part of the security performance process of the Interior Ministry out of the Royal support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Determination and dedication continue to be a workable approach to confronting all challenges as part of the directives of His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and his role in reinforcing security and stability and keeping pace with all developments for the Bahrain Police to continue to be a modern force with advanced performance and humanitarian aspects.
While we are approaching the end of 2022 and on Bahrain Police Day, which is marked on December 14 every year, we remember the achievements of the Interior Ministry in serving the nation. We provide quick readings and statistics of accomplishments, including the reduction in the crime rate in the last four years by 30% despite population growth and urban expansion. The milestone could be attributed to measures based on community partnership and the launch of active programmes and initiatives to reinforce security in society. The projects include the alternative sanctions, the open prisons programme, the “Fael Khair” initiative and Maan (together) programme against violence and addiction. The Bahrain Police were a key partner in various national successes in 2022, including the Bahrain Grand Prix (Formula One) security arrangement and Ashoora season.
Bahrainouna Steadily Moves Toward Goal Achievements
The National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism (Bahrainouna) took steady steps in 2022 towards achieving its goals and initiatives in cooperation with the government and private organisations and society members to promote loyalty values. Within this context, Bahrainouna Executive Office held a series of national events and exhibitions in association with organisations assigned to implement the 107 initiatives through direct support by HE Interior Minister, the Head of the Follow-Up Committee of Bahrainouna. The activities included the Community Partnership and Belonging to the Nation Forum to mark the third anniversary of the initiative.
Governance Implementation
To promote strategic planning measures, a Governance Implementation Committee of the Interior Ministry was formed to follow the implementation of the governance rules at all levels and make the development and modernisation process a reality. Governance covers strategic planning, management and decision-making, social responsibility, organisational performance, competitiveness and sustainability and supervisory and auditing. Six specialised teams were formed to provide the necessary support to all administration levels to help them to implement the governance.
Alternative Sentences; Crime Reduction
The General Directorate of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing continues with its achievements and initiatives, in which 4,413 individuals benefited from the alternative sanctions and the percentage of recommitting crimes reduced to 33.3%. The initiatives include associating 100 beneficiaries in voluntary work during the parliamentary and municipal elections 2022 to promote community partnership. The directorate offered lectures on national values. Meanwhile, the “Fael Khair” initiative for those in jail over unpaid loans covered 429 individuals in 786 cases with around BD2 million through the support of donors. The directorate also launched a digital library for inmates with hundreds of e-books to promote their knowledge and occupy their free time with useful things. The library offers audiobooks and a search engine.
Search, Rescue and Awareness Campaigns
The Coast Guard carried out its maritime security duties, in which the search and rescue operations covered 983 individuals. The operations included services for 401 ships, 44 sea accidents, and three help calls, while 1,525 violations were registered, including violating fishing bans and rules.
The Civil Defence dealt with 12,164 cases and organised 279 awareness lectures on general safety and first aid. It carried out 18 campaigns and took part in community events.
Highest Rates of Performance
The Police Aviation supplied the fleet of helicopters with high-quality cameras and dealt with 858 cases related to surveillance, trafficking, and detection of environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the Police Directorates dealt with 29,564 cases using modern technologies and advanced systems.
The Southern Police Directorate maintained its high performance and was associated with 58 awareness campaigns and carried out 357 field campaigns. The Muharraq Police Directorate dealt with 10,132 cases and contributed to crime prevention through security presence. The Northern Police Directorate processed 16,118 cases and provided 160 community services. It launched 240 campaigns for 6,682 individuals.
Introduction of Advanced Training Methods
The Special Security Force introduced advanced training, Artificial Intelligence, and modern technology. It also introduced a women’s section for the Police Dogs (K9) Unit. The General Directorate of Guard continued its role in the ongoing development, the use of modern technology and workforce training. The Guard Training School supervises the private security companies to ensure they comply with security and safety standards.
Second Edition of the Anti-Drugs Plan & Hotlines
The Criminal Investigation Directorate dealt with many cases, including 187 cases that were referred to Public Prosecution. It formed a crime scene team of female personnel. It dealt with 997 narcotics cases. It launched the second edition of the National Plan to Combat Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 2022-2026 after the first edition’s success in achieving 97% of its goals, including 257 initiatives. The Anti-Narcotics Directorate won the best field and information cooperation award in a competition held on the sideline of a meeting of the Arab Interior Ministers Council in Tunisia. The General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science launched a hotline 996 to receive drug-related cases, while hotline 555 was launched to receive human trafficking cases. Twenty-eight human trafficking cases were registered in 2022. The general directorate’s efforts contributed to Bahrain maintaining its top-tier ranking for the fifth consecutive year in the US State Department’s 2022 report on Trafficking in Persons.
Traffic: Reduction in Fatality Cases
The General Directorate of Traffic tested high-tech cameras to limit accidents and violations and determine traffic jams. It works on managing traffic signals remotely. Regarding traffic safety, the fatality accidents and violations were reduced, while in-use vehicles reached 745,000. The directorate launched more than 30 e-services and processed 81% of the applications electronically. The directorate was also included in safety media campaigns in association with the government and private sectors.
New Master’s Degrees Introduced
The development plan of the Royal Academy of Police involved the introduction of 6 new master’s degrees. The academy provided human rights courses to 397 officers, other ranks and civilians while the summer camp continued to achieve its goals. Since its launch, the camp has covered 9,671 students, and 90.3% were satisfied with its services. The Academy’s Pace Sticking Team won the first position in an international competition for the ninth year in a row.
Statistics Reflect High-Security Performance
Najda (Rescue) patrols dealt with various cases, in which 67% of them were related to fire and ambulance services. Meanwhile, 62.6% of the cases were related to community services. The General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security receives hundreds of cases, including 969 cyber-crime cases, 5,167 economic crime cases, and 86 corruption cases. The travel traffic to and from the Kingdom of Bahrain included about 22 million passengers through the ports, King Fahd Causeway, the seaport, and the airport.
National Ambulance Responses to 43,805 cases
All ambulances were equipped with high-tech tools, and the National Ambulance Centre, from January to November, dealt with 43,805 cases. It participated in many awareness programmes and is designing a smartphone app to enhance services.
Customs Affairs: Facilities Development
Customs Affairs continues to develop facilities. It provided the Economic Operator Certificate to 14 companies to promote community partnership between the government and private sectors. Customs ports processed 105,123 applications and dealt with 1,301 trafficking cases, including narcotics and substances, tobacco and prohibited goods.
Financial Intelligence Director is Egmont Regional Representative
The Financial Investigation Director Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa has been elected uncontested as Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa at the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.
NPRA Launches Remarkable e-Services
Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) launched the Golden Residency services as part of 25 NPRA initiatives of the economic recovery plan. The NPRA launched an e-service for issuing passports for newborns and carried out many inspection campaigns to arrest violators of the residency rules.
Women Police Training Centre
Female police personnel were involved in 194 courses that covered topics related to their duties. Meanwhile, the online training programme for the Women Police Training Centre was approved. Women police were involved in various community events.
663 Training Courses Held
The Training Directorate organised 663 training courses for 10,332 employees, while a total of 11,594 officers, other ranks and civilians benefited from courses inside and outside Bahrain. In the same context, the Protocol and VIP Protection Directorate held training courses, including shooting training for 238 employees.
Seven Classified Within the Gold Category
Seven directorates of the Interior Ministry were classified within the gold category in the government service centres evaluation programme (Taqyeem3).
Governorates Reinforce Partnership
The governorates continue with their community partnership role and interaction with citizens. The Southern Governorate promoted digital transportation in receiving inquiries and requests and carried out 342 awareness activities. The Muharraq Governorate provided training for its staff that covered various topics, including cybersecurity and quality culture. The Capital Governorate won the Excellence Award in dealing with clients and continued with its community partnership activities.
Maan, Reduction in Wrong Behaviours at Schools
Maan (together) programme against violence and addiction contributed to reducing 56,5% of wrong behaviours at schools. It implemented the cybersecurity curriculum at all school education levels in cooperation with the National Centre for Cybersecurity. The programme won various quality assurance certificates.
Media Centre: Well-Studied Media Messages
The General Directorate of Media and Security Culture continues to promote security culture through well-studied media messages. It released 1057 news in Arabic that were translated into English. It produced 382 videos and 138 photos. The Police Media website posted 1,940 international news, while the followers of the Interior Ministry social media accounts reached 734,000, of which 217,000 Instagram followers, 480,000 Twitter followers, and 35,000 YouTube followers.
Human Resources: Awards and Forums
The Human Resources Directorate held the Arab Youth Forum for Artificial Intelligence and launched the Artificial Intelligence projects for the death at the operations room. It went faster in the digital transformation approach, in which 97.5% of the services are carried out electronically. It held 31 training courses for 741 employees.
Sports Achievements and International Championships
Sports teams of the Interior Ministry under the Public Security Sports Association have achieved many milestones during local, regional and international competitions. The association held 42 training courses and 26 lectures.
