Stepping up its efforts to turn out a highly trained police force, Qatar is advancing on plans to open a new Police College next year, according to local media reports.

The college, which is already hiring faculty, met official Emiri approval on Wednesday, after Sheikh Tamim issued Decision No. 161 of 2013 to establish and regulate the institution.

Speaking at an event last month, Director of Police Training Institute Brig. Dr. Mohammed Abdullah al Mahanna said that the goal of the college was to produce highly trained officers who can organize and maintain security for major events, such as the World Cup in 2022.

Admissions

The Ministry of Interior will oversee the school’s admissions process and operations, but priority will go to applicants who are physically fit and perform well in high school, al Marri said, as reported by the Qatar Tribune.

Graduates will earn a bachelor’s degree in law and police science, in Arabic. However, some courses will be conducted in English, al Marri said, adding that the first class is expected to begin next September. Qatar Tribune reports:

He added that students of the college will enjoy a set of specialized courses in Britain and around the world for practical training and the acquisition of a variety of skills as well as the access to the latest forensic science and criminology.

“All literature or sciences students in secondary schools are eligible to attend the college,”  he said.

According to the Peninsula, the school will be open to men and women. Tuition, training, lodging and all other expenses for Qataris will be covered by the college, while expats can attend under scholarships from their respective countries, the newspaper added.

Training needed

Qatar’s need for a more robust police force is growing more urgent as the population increases, and incidences of crime rise.

The nation remains one of the world’s safest, but statistics show a six-fold increase in crime from 2001 to 2010, the latest figures available. That number is largely attributed to a growing expat population, the 2011 Sustainable Development Indicators states.

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