31-year Dubai Police veteran Samira Al Ali makes history with Brigadier promotion

Dubai Police proudly celebrates a groundbreaking achievement in its 69-year history, as Colonel Samira Abdullah Al Ali is promoted to the distinguished rank of Brigadier, becoming the first woman ever to attain this rank within the force since its establishment in 1956.

The promotion was granted under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as part of a broad round of promotions for senior officers, non-commissioned officers, and personnel.

With a remarkable career spanning over 31 years, Brigadier Samira Al Ali has built an extraordinary record of accomplishments, particularly in innovation, leadership, and institutional excellence. She currently heads the Insurance Department at Dubai Police and has played a pivotal role in developing world-class insurance practices that support the organisation’s assets and operations.

Gratitude

Upon receiving the news of her historic promotion, Brigadier Al Ali expressed her deep gratitude: “I sincerely thank our wise leadership, and in particular, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for this honour and for his continuous support for women’s empowerment. This promotion is a source of pride for every woman in Dubai Police and a testament to the organisation’s dedication to granting women equal opportunities to lead and serve their country.”

She also extended her appreciation to Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and General Security in Dubai, and Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, for their enduring trust and support throughout her journey.

“This rank carries great responsibility,” she added. “I will do everything in my power to live up to the confidence placed in me and continue contributing meaningfully to our beloved nation and the institution I’m proud to be part of.”

Breaking Barriers

Brigadier Al Ali joined Dubai Police in October 1994, following her graduation from the UAE University in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in insurance. She initially worked in a private insurance and reinsurance company before enrolling in a women’s preparatory course at the Dubai Police Academy.

“It was a newspaper ad that led me to join the academy,” she recalled. “During my training, retired Major General Jasim Belramitha learned of my academic and professional background in insurance and invited me to work in that field within Dubai Police, which was still in its infancy at the time.”

She began working in a modest insurance office with only two other staff members. Thanks to her expertise, she quickly transformed the office into a specialised department. By 2000, it had evolved into a fully operational sub-department consisting of three major sections, covering all insurance matters related to Dubai Police’s assets, including living property.

Brigadier Al Ali was also the first woman to work at the General Department of Transport and Rescue, where she led a department that had previously employed only men—a challenge she embraced with resilience and determination.

Transforming Insurance Operations

Under her leadership, Dubai Police’s Insurance Department has achieved major advancements, adopting international best practices and implementing continuous benchmarking initiatives.

“No other police agency in the UAE has a dedicated Insurance Department like ours,” she noted. “We handle all types of insurance operations, constantly updating and monitoring policies to meet evolving needs.”

Her department pioneered several innovations, including:

•    Adding unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to insurance coverage.

•    Introducing work injury insurance for volunteers and collaborators.

•    Introducing medical malpractice insurance for staff at Dubai Police Health Centre.

Through advanced data analysis and policy optimisation, the department succeeded in securing long-term financial savings, culminating in Dubai Police’s first five-year insurance contract for asset coverage.

Awards and Recognition

Brigadier Al Ali has earned multiple individual and team accolades, including: 

•    Outstanding Female Employee (2022) – Emirates Women Award by Dubai Quality Group.

•    Seven-Star Award – for leading the “Safe Driving Stars” initiative, recognised by the Centre for Organisational Excellence Research (COER), New Zealand.

•    Commander-in-Chief Excellence Award – for best administrative project team for the “SAND” initiative, aimed at reducing accidents and claims.

•    Knowledge Project Award – “Their Awareness is Our Guarantee,” promoting insurance awareness among staff.

IPs and Strategic Initiatives

A prolific innovator, Brigadier Al Ali holds 19 registered intellectual properties, including:

•    Safe Driving Stars initiative

•    Zero Accidents in Military Patrols strategy

•    Smart Insurance System project

•    SAND project for risk reduction

•    TOP 10 platform for recognising safe drivers

•    Rapid Patrol programme applying the Kaizen method

•    A professional training scheme for patrol officers and assistants

Mentorship, Memberships, and Public Engagement

She actively mentors others and serves as:

•    Chair of the Dana Women’s Committee in the General Department of Transport and Rescue since 2017

•    Vice President of the Continuous Improvement Team at Dubai Quality Group

•     Member of the National Work Injury Registry Committee

Brigadier Al Ali is also a certified lecturer, delivering educational sessions on insurance, economic crimes, and social responsibility. She has:

•    Attended 163 training programmes and conferences

•    Delivered 16 workshops on insurance

•    Provided consultancy to over 21,000 beneficiaries

•    Submitted 225 development proposals

•    Participated in 65 task forces

•    Earned 392 badges, medals, and certificates of appreciation

She also holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Diploma in Information Technology.

Balancing Career and Family

A devoted mother to a son who works in chemical engineering, Brigadier Al Ali credits her family, supervisors, and colleagues for their unwavering support throughout her career.

“Discipline and commitment, which I learned at Dubai Police, helped me balance my professional and personal life. I always remind my 22-member team, including three women, to Believe in yourselves and trust in God. With faith and effort, everything is possible.”