MEPLEX to play key role in fight aganist crime

Live demonstrations and displays of close protection, crowd control, and special weapon and tactics (SWAT) responses will be a focal point of the first Middle East Police and Law Enforcement Exhibition & Conference (MEPLEX) taking place within the secured premises of Dubai Police Academy from October 6-9.

In readiness for MEPLEX, Dubai Police officers have been undergoing intensive preparations for demonstrations of VIP protection, public order and riot skills.

Next week, senior representatives from a number of Middle East police forces and law enforcement agencies will be attending MEPLEX to witness the live demonstrations and displays by the elite Dubai Police teams.

'The combination of recent worldwide events and modern trends are forcing police forces and law enforcement agencies in the Middle East, and around the world, to take new measures to fight crime,' said Nick Webb, director of Streamline Marketing, organisers of MEPLEX.

'Dubai Police are leading the way in adopting the latest techniques to maintain the highest levels of security and public order for which MEPLEX becomes an important regional showcase.'

Search and secure enactments, anti-hijacking and hostage rescue simulations, armed and unarmed self defence techniques, advanced police driving, and crowd control and response displays are some of the 'real-life' scenarios that will be staged during MEPLEX.

The intensive preparations for MEPLEX continued today with Dubai Police officers engaged in VIP protection and riot practice drills, both on a solo and team basis.

VIP protection drills included responses to attacks on motorcades, while riot officers enacted the use of riot shields and water canons, and the snatching of ringleaders from crowds.

In the Middle East, the security needs of high profile events such as the Dubai 2003 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Annual Meeting highlight the need regional law enforcement agencies to maintain vigilance in safeguarding the community against internal or external threats.

The event will require a huge security operation, and by bringing together a significant gathering of police and law enforcement agencies, security specialists, and equipment and service suppliers, MEPLEX is playing a key role in the fight against crime. The first Middle East Police and Law Enforcement Exhibition will provide an interactive forum allowing regional security agencies and police forces to exchange information with experts on security issues during a conference, view the latest equipment and services in an exhibition, and watch them being demonstrated and then test drive them during workshops with suppliers.

Creating excellent opportunities for suppliers of equipment and services to the law enforcement sector, the exhibition will display some of the very latest law enforcement technologies and equipment for drugs and explosives detection, counter-surveillance and radio detection, electronic facial identification programmes, handcuffs, thermal observation (cameras) and protective footwear for specialist operations.