Can Police Intervention Keep Young People Out of the Justice System? Dubai Says Yes

Dubai, United Arab Emirates– 04 September 2026: What if police intervention with young people began not with criminal proceedings, but with an opportunity to change course?

Dubai Police is applying that principle through a youth intervention model that seeks to address behavioural problems before they develop into more serious offences, offering young people a structured pathway towards rehabilitation, responsibility and reintegration.

Known as Naseej, Arabic for "fabric", the programme has supported 135 young people and recorded significant behavioural changes among participating students.

A survey conducted among parents found a 98.5% reduction in negative behaviour at school, alongside a 90.9% reduction in negative behaviour at home. The programme also recorded an 88% reduction in repeat offending.

Rather than relying solely on conventional punitive measures, the Dubai Police initiative combines police and military style training, sport, psychological support, awareness programmes, extracurricular activities and field visits.

The concept is based on a relatively simple principle: intervene early, address the behaviour and give the young person an opportunity to change direction before misconduct develops into a deeper involvement with the criminal justice system.

Policing Before Prosecution

One of the most distinctive elements of Naseej is its role as an alternative pathway for students involved in misconduct or violations.

Instead of automatically placing young participants through criminal justice proceedings, the programme provides structured intervention focused on rehabilitation, discipline and community reintegration.

Participants follow a development programme similar in structure to training undertaken by students at Dubai Police Academy, adapted to help young people strengthen discipline, responsibility and commitment to their communities.

Brigadier Abdulaziz Mohammad Al Abdullah, General Supervisor of the Naseej initiative and Acting Deputy Director of Dubai Police Academy, said the programme was launched under the directives of Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander in Chief of Dubai Police.

He explained that Naseej focuses on four principal objectives: reducing negative behaviour in schools, supporting community reintegration, contributing to a safe educational environment and encouraging positive behaviour through cooperation with strategic partners.

14,616 Hours of Intervention

The programme is not based on short term awareness sessions. Between 2023 and 2026, participants completed 10 specialised courses across 220 days, amounting to 14,616 training hours.

The programme comprises 30% military training, 25% sports training, 21% awareness activities, 16% extracurricular activities, 5% field visits and 3% psychological support.

Together, these components are intended to address behaviour from several directions, combining discipline and physical development with awareness, personal skills and psychological and social support.

Parents have also reported substantial changes. A dedicated survey recorded 95% satisfaction with Naseej and its training programmes.

Can Early Intervention Change the Trajectory?

Naseej reflects a broader question facing police forces and communities worldwide: how early should authorities intervene when young people begin displaying behaviours that could eventually bring them into contact with the justice system?

Dubai Police's approach is to intervene before that trajectory becomes established.

Alongside structured training, participants receive awareness about the legal consequences of misconduct and how certain behaviours can affect their education and future. They also undertake activities designed to develop individual and creative skills and strengthen their sense of responsibility towards their families, schools and wider community.

The objective extends beyond stopping a particular behaviour. It seeks to equip young people with the discipline, awareness and skills necessary to make different choices after leaving the programme.

A Model Focused on Second Chances

The approach has received recognition beyond the programme itself. Naseej won first place in the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work in 2026 and the Emirates Ideas Award for Best Community Initiative. It also received first place in the International Association for Police Thought Award for Best Distinguished Initiative in 2025.