| Royal Oman Police,Oman شرطة عمان السلطانية | |
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| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1974[1] |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Legal jurisdiction | Oman |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Main headquarters inQurum[1] which also serves as the headquarters forMuscat Governorate Police Command Headquarters.
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| Agency executive |
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| Website | |
| www | |
TheRoyal Oman Police (ROP) (Arabic:شرطة عمان السلطانية), also known asOman Police, is the mainlaw and order agency for the Sultanate ofOman.
The concept of a modern police force was relatively new to Oman when SultanQaboos bin Said al Said rose to power after overthrowing his father in a palacecoup on July 23, 1970. Police in Oman was first institutionalized in the 1700s inSohar. Prior to ROP's creation, no internal security force existed inOman. Security was the responsibility of the local walis or governors who carried it out with the help of local "Askars". The police presence was limited to the township ofMuscat andMutrah, where most of the souqs were present and most of the trade took place.
Once in power, SultanQaboos bin Said al Said, in addition to his other reform campaigns, went about building an efficient and modern police force in Oman. In 1974, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said conferred the title Royal Oman Police (ROP) on the newly formed force. In November that year, ROP received its colours from the Sultan. The next year, the ROP headquarters was inaugurated inQurum.
The Royal Oman Police joined the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in 1972, and theArab Organization for Social Defense Against Crime in the same year.[2]
The ROP played a highly criticised role in the2011 Omani protests. On 28 February 2011, inSohar, 250 kilometres north of Oman's capitalMuscat, the ROP was reported to have opened fire using live bullets on protesters. The ROP had been using tear gas to quell protesters since the morning. However, the protesters became violent and started torching government buildings, including the Wali's office and the nearby police station. The police in its defense has stated that it had only used rubber bullets to throw back the protesters who were going to burn the police station while members of the ROP were still trapped inside. Two protesters were reported dead and it was believed that various police officers were injured too.[3]
The Royal Oman Police is a well organised police force. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said is the supreme commander of the ROP. Under him comes theInspector General of Police and Customs. The title ofthe Commissioner for police which was used to be the title of the president of the force under the old Police Law No. 5/1973, a Royal Decree was issued on 26 November 1974 changing the title tothe Inspector General of Police and Customs. The post is currently held by Lt GenHassan bin Mohsin Al Shraiqi who replaced Lt GenMalek Bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari as per royal decrees by the Sultan amidst the2011 Oman protests.[4]
ROP carries out the tasks of a coast guard as well and is empowered to carry out all custom related tasks. ROP also maintains a well trained dog section (created on 24 September 1976).[5]
ROP maintains a fleet of support helicopters which perform a host of functions from fire-fighting to ambulance services to thermal imagery in anti-smuggling operations.
ROP also maintains horse and camel mounted troopers, who patrol terrains inaccessible to motor vehicles. The camel mounted officers are easy to be spotted on patrol near the Omani border, whereas horse-mounted officers are a common sight on Muscat's beaches.
Initially, Police training School at Qurum trained police cadres. On 9 November 1976, the first passing out ceremony of the School of Oman's first batch of Cadre Officers was conducted here under the patronage of theSultan.
In 1980, theSultan opened the Police Academy near Nizwa, recently renamed as theSultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences.[1] It provides basic training for police personnel, as well as diploma courses in police sciences for university graduates or those with equivalent qualifications. It also trains candidates for senior positions in the ROP.
The Police College, which is within the SQAPS complex, was established in 2000 and trains ROP officers and awards diplomas and degrees in law and police sciences.
The Traffic Safety Institute was set up to train both traffic police personnel and road users.
In addition to regular police duties, the Royal Oman Police is also charged with specialized missions.
In co-operation with theRoyal Navy of Oman, the Coast Guard division looks after Oman's territorial waters and conducts rescues of people in distress at sea.
Headquartered in Muscat, the Omani Coast Guard is led by Brigadier General Bader Khalfan Al Zadgali.
Regarding smuggling and piracy issues in the region the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard established relations and partnerships with actors in the region. Combined Task Forces150 and151 regularly reach Muscat for talks and cooperation through senior visits such as those by Commodore Daryl Bate in Muscat ROP HQ in 2014 and by Rear Admiral Ayhan Bay in 2015. The EU'sOperation Atalanta is also a major partner as illustrated by Bader Khalfan Al Zadgali's 2017 meeting with Rear Admiral Gregori then commander of the EU mission. While GCC and western forces are key players in the area, and in accordance with wider Oman policy the Royal Oman Police maintain talks on smuggling with Iran. A dedicated summit with Brigadier Galal Stara, Commander of the Coast Guard Forces in the Islamic Republic of Iran, was held in March 2017.
ASea Rescue Group has been established to help to prevent drowning accidents, respond to SOS calls, improve the monitoring of Oman's coastline and prevent illegal immigration and smuggling.[6]
A command headquarters calledThe Oil and Gas Installations Command has been set up under the ROP to protect Oman's valuable oil and gas installations.
ThePolice Coastguard Command has been equipped with new fast patrol boats, while the older boats currently in use have been modernized and fitted with new engines. An engineering and maintenance workshop makes sure the patrol craft are always serviceable.
The Royal Omani Police has engaged in major procurement programs since the mid 2010 mostly from Spanish, British and French suppliers.
| Type | Length (m) | Speed (kt) | Number | Year | Shipyard | Country of origin | Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrol boat | 29 | 25 | 3 | 1981-1982 | Karlskronavarvet | Sweden | Haras 7-10 |
| Patrol boat | 13 | 22 | 3 | 1981 | Watercraft | UK | Zahra 14-17 |
| Patrol boat | 16 | 22 | 2 | 1981 | Ensworth SB | UK | Zahra 18-21 |
| Patrol boat | 23 | 36 | 1 | 1988 | Yokohama Yacht | Japan | Haras 12 |
| Rodman 58 | 18 | 34 | 2003 | Rodman Polyships | Spain | Haras 13-24 | |
| AMD520P | 52 | 40 | 2 | 2008-2009 | Rodriquez Cantieri Navali | Italy | Haras 1-2 |
| 27M MKV Patrol Boat | 27,5 | 60 | 3 | 2009 | US Marine Inc. | US | Haras 3-5 |
| 20m Diving and Rescue | 20 | 36 | 1 | 2013 | Lungteh Shipbuilding | Oman | Haras 29 |
| Rodman 111 | 35.3 | 40 | 5 | 2015-2017 | Rodman Polyships | Spain | Haras 10 (?) |
| Rodman 33 | 11.4 | 55 | 10 | 2017 | Rodman Polyships | Spain | |
| Watercraft k13 FIC | 14 | 55 | 14 | 2015-2017 | Marine Alutech | Finland | |
| Ares 85 HerculesFPB | 25.9 | 45 | 14 | 2018-2022 | Ares Shipyard - BMT | Turkey | Sham 4-6 |
| 1400 FIC | 14 | 50 | 22 | 2019-2022 | Couach Plascoa | France | Najam 82-100 |
| FPB 110 | 35 | 5 | 2021-2023 | OCEA | France | Haras 10-12 |
The Police Aviation Directorate comprisesAgustaWestland AW139[7] helicopters (currently 4[citation needed] in service and more are being procured). It comprises ahelicopter fire-fighting service for use in areas that are relatively inaccessible to ordinary fire engines asOman has a vastly mountainous terrain. The Sultanate was one of the first countries in the region to set up this service and several pilots have now been trained to man it. The Police Aviation Directorate is to use its helicopter fleet for use in the Flying Ambulance service, for fire-fighting and rescue missions, or to provide monitoring and support services for the ROP's other departments using thermal imaging systems.[6]
Oman has always strived to provide equal status to its female population. The ROP has been no different, with a significant number of female cadres who serve in logistical, support wings as well as in the Traffic police.[8] The ROP also has an all female music band.[6] Female cadres undergo as strict or training as their male counterparts, yet Omani women have come out in numbers to join the police force.[9]
The ROP provides a range of services.
The Directorate-General of Civil Status registers the births, marriages, divorces and deaths of Omani nationals, as well as the births and deaths of expatriate residents in the Sultanate, in addition to their marriages and divorces if one of the parties to the marriage or divorce is an Omani. Omani nationals are also issued withsmart multipurpose ID cards, which are both flexible and secure and – among other things – show the holder's driving licence details. Such smart cards have become a norm in almost all Arab nations.
Residence cards are also issued to resident expatriates working in the Sultanate, and their dependants. The labour card and the residence card have now been combined into one card.
Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat International Airport and all overland crossing points now use an improved Customs computer system. This has been put in place to improve customs clearance procedures and customs clearance offices. These moves are designed to support the national economy and come in response to theGulf Co-operation Council Customs Union and theGreater Arab Free Trade Zone.
Using its new container and motor vehicle inspection equipment, the Directorate General of Customs is now better equipped to detect and identify prohibited substances and smuggled goods. A declaration on a container security and goods inspection initiative has also been signed between the Directorate-General of Customs and its American counterpart, allowing for the inspection of goods transported by sea between Omani and American ports.[6] This shall prove to be of significant help especially now that Oman and USA have a free trade agreement in place.[10]
On 4 September 1970, the police department took over the responsibility of motor vehicles licensing which used to be under the responsibility of the Muscat and Muttrah Municipality. Ever since, the ROP has worked to put in place an efficient traffic policing system.
Oman has continuously recorded a huge leap in road accidents and accident related deaths. Oman's road traffic death rate is 28 per 100,000 population which is far higher than the global average of 19 killed per 100,000.[11] Due to this the ROP has taken a tough stance against negligent drivers. Vehicles are regularly inspected, training standards for drivers have been raised and traffic rules are rigorously enforced, particularly with regard to speed limits. Intensive awareness campaigns are regularly held for drivers and other sections of society, including school students. To this end, the police work closely with other departments and organisations, particularly the Ministry of Education and the media. By the end of 2005, fixed and mobile radar speed detectors had been installed in all the governorates and regions in a further attempt to help reduce traffic accidents.
The Omani government and the ROP have continuously made road safety their top priority. They have also worked effectively to promote road safety internationally.Oman submitted a draft resolution to theUNGeneral Assembly entitledRoad safety must not be left to chance, to help promote international co-operation on the prevention of traffic accidents, which was adopted by the UN in 2004 (Titled – A/58/289).[12]
In March 2006, the ROP won first prize in an international contest, in which 36 countries participated and organised. The competition was organized by theUnited Nations, at the1st Global Road Safety Film Festival inGeneva, for a film entitled "Pain and Hope", a documentary highlighting the suffering of families who lose relatives in road accidents. The film is currently stored in the UN library.[6]
The ROP provides a Highway Emergency Ambulance Service for victims of road and other accidents. The Ambulance Unit, which has a fleet of modern ambulances with modern hightech medical equipment, covers the Governorate ofMuscat up toBatinah Region, as well as the main road from the wilayat ofBarka toKhatmat Malahah on theUAE border. The service is proposed to be expanded to cover the entire country.
The Ambulance Service uses an advanced telecommunications system directed through the ROP's telecommunications centre. The system co-ordinates the movement of ambulances to ensure that they reach the scene of an accident in the shortest possible time.
With regard to the protection of buildings, installations and property, the Directorate-General of Civil Defence has been supplied with civil defence and fire-fighting equipment.[6]
| International | |
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| National | |
