25 years of security and stability thanks to royal support, government interest and professional sincerity.
HM the King is a supporter of national security and director of security systems to protect security and general safety.
Through the efforts of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the security and stability process has witnessed a clear consolidation and a 30% decline in the crime rate.
Bahrainouna marks its 5th anniversary, and the Bahrain Identity Reinforcing Forum will be held next year.
Advanced international status for alternative sentencing, trafficking in persons and money laundering combating efforts, e-passports and milestones in sports championships.
Community Police launched in 2004 within the framework to develop police performance.
Alternative sentencing project won the Arab Government Excellence Award for the Best Community Development Project.
The rate of drug cases remains stable at less than 3% compared to other criminal cases.
The security accomplishment system includes modern training, advanced capabilities and the latest technologies.
The Coast Guard’s security fence project is finalised, and an integrated fleet and an operations centre for maritime control have been launched.
Police Media Centre
The Kingdom of Bahrain is proud of its history, humanitarian approach and accomplishments as a well-established country. It is rising to the forefront with its civilisation and the wisdom of its leader. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has transformed Bahrain after 25 years of accession into a homeland of cultural value and international status based on coexistence and openness, which is the source of the wealth of civilised nations. On this occasion that will be immortalised in history, there is a sense of the civilised achievements, national milestones, and security stability achieved during these years. HM the King is a supporter of the nation’s security process and a guide for the security system at the Ministry of Interior in protecting security and public safety, increasing the efficiency of police performance, and consolidating the process of development and modernisation.
Throughout their long history, the Bahrain Police forces have entered the second century with only known language of achievement. Accomplishments witnessed by all and felt by every citizen and resident through the security and stability in the country due to the supreme royal support and the follow-up of the government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Over the past quarter of a century, Bahrain's security and stability system has witnessed a clear consolidation, reflected in society's safety and reassurance. The crime rate has declined by 30% due to implementing the security strategy launched by His Excellency Minister of Interior General Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, who adopted community partnership as an approach and placed community security at the forefront.
Security accomplishments have continued through years of sincere national work and the introduction of a series of national plans and security projects. This is done through an advanced security approach that considers the development of human resources, the introduction of advanced technologies in all services, and the construction of modern security buildings to meet all needs.
The royal vision is the starting point for reinforcing citizens' roles and moving forward through the thought of a wise leader who constantly works for the nation's interests. Based on a royal order and Decree No. 69 of 2004, the Community Police was formed to develop police performance, enhance community confidence in the police and create a safe environment for prosperity and development. HE the Interior Minister ordered the executive procedures for forming the Community Police and marking March 18 each year as a day for community partnership and national belonging.
With an approach to being closer to people, the Community Police have paved the way for security projects and initiatives to fight and prevent crimes. The force was the beginning of a series of integrated security and social projects, including the summer camp of the Royal Academy of Police in 2009 as part of the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism (Bahrainouna). The community police led to the launch of the Maan (together) programme against violence and addiction in 2011 and the accreditation of Bahrain as the regional centre for the programme. HE the Interior Minister launched the peaceful coexistence and fighting extremism curriculum to enhance awareness of negative practices and protect youth from violence and addiction. The Programme succeeded in reducing the participants’ negative behaviours by 56%.
The National Ambulance is a leading security and health project by the Interior Minister. It has completed its first phase with 12 centres and three ambulance points. Work is underway to reduce the response time to 5 to 15 minutes and use artificial intelligence to enhance the project’s management. Air, sea and motorcycle ambulances are among the future projects.
The Child Protection in Cyberspace Unit was launched in December 2022 as part of many new projects to protect children from online risks.
Humanitarian and Human Rights Initiatives
The national alternative sentencing project and the open prisons programme realistically embody the human values and civilised principles of the royal visions. The project won the Arab Government Excellence Award for Community Development in 2024. In the same context, the Reformation and Rehabilitation Directorate was upgraded to a General Directorate. Six buildings were introduced, including four at the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre in Jaw and two at the Detention Centre in the Dry Dock. The American Correctional Association accredited the General Directorate of Reformation and Rehabilitation after fulfilling the international quality standards. Notably, about 59,000 inmates were covered by the royal pardon from 2008 to July 2024, an indicator of the national approach to promoting human rights and protecting social cohesion. Meanwhile, 6,712 persons have benefited from the alternative sentencing project since its launch in 2018, while the number of beneficiaries of the “Fael Khair” initiative has exceeded 1,135 individuals.
Stability of Community Security Indicators
Given that security is based on community partnership, several indicators have emerged that confirm the stability of community security, as the Special Security Force has worked to develop performance in practical and training aspects and to create advanced training methods. Security readiness has recorded the highest rates of performance and response to cases, and police directorates have continued their security performance within the framework of maintaining security and public order and developing the services provided. For example, the Southern Governorate Police Directorate dealt with 14,959 cases from 1999 to 2023. The Family and Children Protection Offices at the police directorates promote community partnership by working toward family stability. The Police Aviation has been equipped with modern helicopters and advanced cameras to promote general safety, emergency and medical services and law enforcement.
In fighting drugs, there has been no increase in cases over the past three years, and the rate has stabilised at less than 3% compared to the rest of the criminal cases. From 2020 to 2023, a total of 3,197 kg of narcotics were seized from 3,407 cases, reflecting the effectiveness of the efforts made under the National Plan to Combat Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, of which its edition (2015/2022) achieved its goals by 97% by implementing 257 initiatives. The second edition is ongoing, with 24 government entities and national institutions participating.
An artificial intelligence project was launched to address drug addiction and narcotics crimes. It is a unique project in the Middle East and Arab world. This has strengthened the Interior Ministry’s status, which has won first place more than once in the best operational information cooperation category at the Arab level. At the same time, the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science has handled many criminal cases.
In police projects and services, the Public Security Presidency works to achieve the Interior Ministry’s strategy through capability-building projects, readiness enhancement, digital transformation, and technical development. A total of 28 projects were introduced, 41 projects were developed, and work continues to implement 95 projects in the future. The Training Directorate organised around 6,832 training courses for 82,027 Interior Ministry affiliates from 2017 to 2024.
The Coast Guard continues efforts to promote maritime security by using modern vessels and automatic identification devices. Its security fence project includes many phases, including launching an integrated marine fleet of modern boats equipped with the latest technology and establishing a comprehensive marine operations centre to enhance marine control and supervision. In addition, a special directorate for marine control will be established to tackle illegal acts, regulate fishing, and protect the marine environment.
In fighting economic crimes, 43,757 cases were reported from 2015 to 2024. In the last five years, the total amount of money related to this type of crime amounted to more than BD20 million, as 14,294 cases were registered, and many criminal operations were thwarted.
The Financial Intelligence National Centre achieved a remarkable milestone in fighting terrorism financing and money laundering, in which more than BD36 million was seized in 2023.
From 2011 to April this year, 10,028 cybercrime cases were reported, including cyber scams and posting news or images that violate the privacy of individuals or families.
Modern Security Directorates
Over the past twenty-five years, the Interior Ministry has been keen to establish modern security directorates that keep pace with global developments, including the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security, the Financial Intelligence National Centre, and a directorate specialised in combating human trafficking, which has contributed to strengthening Bahrain’s international status, and has maintained its Tier 1 ranking, the highest in the classification, for the seventh consecutive year in the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.
The Interior Ministry also introduced many projects, including the security geographic system and the unified criminal system. The Royal Academy of Police also continued its advanced educational and training role by launching new master’s programmes. The Academy’s pace-sticking team continues to win for the eleventh time in the world championship organised by the British Royal College (Sandhurst) since the beginning of its participation in 2009.
Unprecedented Level of Electronic Services
The e-services of the Interior Ministry increased to an unprecedented level within the framework of expanding the use of technology and modern techniques in the security and service sectors. In this context, the main operations room launched an emergency line to deal with the deaf and mute and provide a security team fluent in multiple languages and dialects to deal with various cases. The General Directorate of Traffic worked to enhance its performance to reduce traffic accidents and violations, especially by implementing the new traffic law in 2014 and launching modern patrols to improve traffic safety.
Statistics showed a decline in injury accidents, speeding violations, and phone use while driving. The Information and eGovernment Authority has provided more than 680 e-services and more than 20 national e-systems, in addition to multiple e-channels that have contributed to completing transactions with ease.
The launch of e-visas was part of the services, followed by the e-passport launched by HE the Interior Minister in March 2023. This represents a qualitative leap in facilitating travel and movement procedures and is one of the initiatives to develop the services of Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs launched by the cabinet as part of the economic recovery plan.
In the same context, Customs Affairs proceeded with its modern plans and projects to enforce the law and provide the best services. Statistics indicated that the rate of scanning trucks and containers by X-rays at customs points reached 19,500 trucks, according to the new project, and the change rate was 34.3%.
The law establishing governorates was issued at the beginning of the new millennium. Governorates continue to strengthen community partnerships and consolidate communication with citizens. They are also working to reach “healthy cities” within the framework of the Healthy Cities Programme under the World Health Organisation.
Security Awareness Projects
Security awareness projects have remained strongly present. They began with the formation of the Police Media Centre in 2008, one of the results of the development and modernisation strategy of HE the Interior Minister. The centre works to provide professional police media content by releasing media content on various media platforms. For example, the number of followers of the Ministry of Interior’s account on the X platform reached about half a million. Al Amn Radio show, Al Amn monthly and periodic magazines continue to promote security awareness, along with the “Watani” magazine launched in September 2014. Watani, a children's magazine, started printing its content in Braille for blind children to reach more readers.
On 3 November 2023, HE the Interior Minister launched the National Civil Protection Platform as a distinguished awareness framework in public safety by providing educational information and awareness to confront emergencies.
5 Years Since the Launch of Bahrainouna
In 2024, the executive office of the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism (Bahrainouna) celebrated its 5th anniversary, which was approved by the cabinet based on an initiative by HE the Interior Minister. The plan included three phases, of which the current stage consists of the digital transformation of its initiatives and the organising of the Bahraini identity reinforcing forum in 2025.
The Interior Ministry has achieved advanced international rankings, and its directorates have won prestigious awards. In 2019, the Bahrain Police celebrated its 100th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of establishing the Women's Police and ranked fourth globally in the International Security Index. In 2020, HE the Interior Minister presented HM the King with the Prince Nayef Medal for Arab Security, which was awarded to him at the meeting of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers.
Bahrain also achieved first place in the Arab world in the Basel Anti-Money Laundering Index and chaired the World Customs Organisation.
Bahraini women in the Interior Ministry, represented by the Women Police, have been able to enhance their status. Several directorates, including the Human Resources Directorate, have also won Stevie Awards for Excellence and Innovation. The Police Band also participated in 3,492 local and international events from 1999 to 2024. The Ministry of Interior's sports teams have continued to achieve honourable successes.
On the occasion of the silver jubilee of HM the King’s accession and the Bahrain Police Day, the Interior Ministry, on behalf of its affiliates, renews the pledge and loyalty to HM the King and continues to be under his leadership of the nation.
