Order of Bravery (Figure 9)

In all instances reduced in diameter and the introduction of a small suspension bar. Three classes increased to four - all gold-plated. A new ribbon of dark blue with two red stripes edged with narrow white stripes inset from each edge. Each ribbon will bear between one to four small metal stars to distinguish the grade of award.

Order of Superiority (Figure 9)

Now "Badge of Appreciation" in either gold or silver- plated metal. Three classes reduced to two grades. New ribbons of red with a central stripe edged in yellow or green - first class or blue - second class.

Order of Excellent Service (Figure 9)

Now "Medal of Distinguished Service". Three classes reduced to two. New ribbons of blue with edge stripes of yellow - first class, and pink - second class. Each ribbon has central stripes of white to indicate years of service, hence - one stripe for 10 years, two stripes for 20 years, three stripes for 30 years and four stripes for 40 years service. Thus four grades to each class.

Order of Long Service (Figure 9)

Now "Medal of Loyal Service". Gold or silver-plated and reduced in diameter from 49mm to 40mm. Three classes reduced to two classes. Each ribbon has central bands of yellow: 1 st Class, and blue: 2nd Class, with additional narrow stripes of red and white respectively to indicate years of service, hence one stripe for 10 years, two stripes for 20 years, three stripes for 30 years and four stripes for 40 years service. Thus four grades to each class.

In addition to the above amendments two further awards were instituted:

Order of Dubai Police (Figure 9)

Obverse: A gold or silver-plated seven-pointed star bearing in the center the badge of the Dubai Police. Reverse: To be confirmed but believed to be a circular device with in the center the badge of the Dubai Police; above which the Arabic inscription ORDER OF DUBAI POLICE and below the badge either FIRST, SECOND,

THIRD, FOURTH or FIFTH GRADE. These inscriptions

are separated by two five-pointed stars.

Ribbon: In all classes 36ram wide green ribbon with one

to five narrow yellow central stripes dependent upon the

grade awarded ; one stripe being the junior grade.

Suspension: By a loop through a ring affixed to the

uppermost point of the star.

A recent award ceremony had General Shaikh Mohamed bin Rashid A1 Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, United Arab Emirates Defence Minister and Head of Dubai Police and Security, present the First Class of this award to a number of retiring officers: ten Major- Generals and one Brigadier. The Gulf News article of January 7, 2004, noted that the award was considered to be the highest honor awarded by the Police and only awarded through the instructions of His Highness Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid A1 Maktoum, Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

Medal of Co-operative Security (Figure 9)

Figure 10: Reverse of the Medal of Co-operative Security, Second Grade.

Obverse: A gold or silver-plated circular medal with seven small indentations around the rim bordered with an intertwined raised line. In the center a seven-pointed multi-rayed star bearing the badge of the Dubai Police. Reverse: A circular device with in the centre the badge of the Dubai Police, above which the Arabic inscription MEDAL OF CO-OPERATIVE SECURITY and below the badge either FIRST OR SECOND GRADE (Figure 10). These inscriptions are separated by two five-pointed stars. Ribbon: In all classes 36mm wide green ribbon with a red or blue band and a narrow yellow central stripe Suspension: By a loop through a ring affixed to the uppermost point of the star.

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Figure 11: Major General Dhahi Khalfan Tamin.

The current Head of the Dubai Police Force Major

General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim (Figure 11) had been, as of November 2001, the recipient of nine awards of which seven relate to the Dubai Police awards system. His awards are as follows:

Long Service 10 Years

(2°a Series) Meritorious Long Service

2"d Class (2"d Series) Medal of Appreciation

1 st Class (3~ Series)

Long Service 20 Years

(2"d Series) Medal of Excellence

(l~t Series) Sharjah

Social Defence Medal

Meritorious Long Service

3rd Class (2"d Series) Order of Superiority

1st Class (2"d Series) Saudi Arabia Defence Medal

Following the overhaul of the Dubai awards, these awards and those of the Ministry of the Interior, now comply with the Federal Law on awards and medals. This law has been ratified by all of the rulers of the seven Emirates and the same titles are now being used by the Federal Ministry and the Dubai Police.

The Sharjah Police series, manufactured by Thomas Fattorini Ltd. of Birmingham who produced these awards in the early 1990s, consist of seven separate awards. The awards, of a slivered and gilded base metal, are of two

Figure 12: The series of Sharjah Police medals.

Vol. 61, No. 6 (November-December 2010) 27

uniform designs. The first design is a twelve-pointed circular star with ball finials and the second design is one of eight-pointed design with a central gilded medallion bearing different motifs.

Medal for Courage (Intrepidity)

Obverse: A 50ram diameter medal of the first design with

two crossed sword hilts uppermost and shield between

the hilts (Figure 12).

Reverse: In all instances the badge of the Sharj ah Police.

Ribbon: 37mm wide consisting of four equal stripes of

white blue interspersed by three equal stripes of light blue.

Suspension: The bar bears the Arabic inscription

COURAGE.

Medal for Gallantry

Obverse: Second design -the badge of the Sharj ah Police consisting of a palm tree in front of two crossed flags of the United Arab Republic above a ribbon inscribed SHARJAH in Arabic and English (Figure 12). Ribbon: 37mm wide consisting of a central 13mm wide dark blue band flanked on either side by 3.5mm wide light blue, 3.5mm wide white and 5mm wide red stripes. Suspension: By a loop affixed to the rear of the uppermost arm of the star and suspended from a bar bearing the Arabic inscription GALLANTRY.

Medal for Ten Years Excellent Service

Figure 13: Reverses of the Medal for Ten Years Excellent Service (left) and the Medal for Social Defence (right).

Obverse: First design with a cannon (Figure 12).

Reverse: The badge of the Sharjah Police (Figure 13).

Ribbon: 37mm wide consisting of a central 15mm dark

blue band flanked on either side by 3.5mm wide stripes

of light blue and 6 mm stripes of white.

Suspension: The bar bears the Arabic inscription

EXCELLENT SERVICE.

There appears to be a 20-year service medal as in a ceremony in May 2001 the ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin MohammedA1 Qassimi, presented a number of medals to Police Officers at the Sharjah Academy for Police Officers: 31 officers having completed 20 years of service and another 15 having completed 10 years of service. I have no further details of this 20-year service medal. He also presented the Scientific Distinction Medal (see below) to Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Adel Abdullah Khamis A1 Ma’mari.

Medal for Excellent Service

Obverse: Second design with a crenellated fort with ramp (Figure 12). Ribbon: 37mm wide consisting of three equal stripes of light blue, white and dark blue. Suspension: The bar bears the Arabic inscription EXCELLENT SERVICE.

Medal for Social Defence

Obverse: Second design with a set of weighing scales (Figure 12). Reverse: The badge of the Shaljah Police (Figure 13). Ribbon: 37mm wide consisting of three equal stripes of green, dark blue and red. Suspension: The bar bears the Arabic inscription SOCIAL DEFENCE.

Arab Police Medal (Policemen’s Day)

Obverse: An outline map of the Arab world (Figure 12). Ribbon: 37mm wide consisting of a total of 15 equal stripes of five bands each of green, white and blue Suspension: The bar bears the Arabic inscription ARAB POLICE.

Scientific Achievement Medal

Obverse: A 50mm diameter medal, second design with an open book, an ink well and quill (Figure 12). Ribbon: 37mm wide consisting of three equal stripes of light blue, dark blue and yellow. Suspension: The bar bears the Arabic inscription SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT.

The development of the awards of the United Arab Emirates has been a complex process with the coming together of various traditions. No doubt it will progress

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