Netherlands opens first smart police station under Dubai Police guidance

The Netherlands inaugurated its first smart police station on Thursday, called "SPS Utrecht." The new station is located in the Utrecht Central Station area and was established under the guidance of Dubai Police. 

Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri said, “The inauguration of SPS Utrecht follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Dubai Police and the Dutch police to enhance police cooperation and exchange expertise and smart police stations. The work on establishing SPS Utrecht began last year with Emirati expertise to provide the best services to the community without any human intervention, 24/7, similar to the smart police stations in Dubai. SPS Utrecht offers several police services, including communication with officers via video call, inquiry services, reporting service, and criminal reporting services, along with various community and security services.”

The inauguration of "SPS Utrecht" marks the second global adoption of Dubai Police's innovative Smart Police Station concept, following the establishment of the first Smart Police Station in the Republic of Serbia in 2023.

It follows meetings and discussions between Dubai Police and the Dutch police on enhancing cooperation and integration in policing and security, crime prevention, and the exchange of expertise and best practices in policing. 

Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht, stated, “During my visit to Dubai last year, I saw how innovation can facilitate more officers on the beat. In addition, this new smart police station in the city's heart will make reporting nuisance or crime even easier. I am proud that we, together with the police, exerted all efforts to bring this concept to Utrecht.”