Over the past several months, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) had the privilege of hosting three law enforcement officers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as they completed the Arizona Law Enforcement Analyst Academy (ALEAA). Through a collaborative partnership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), AZDPS welcomed Officer Aamer Alhefeiti, Officer Khalifa Alshehhi, and Officer Abdulla Alyammahi of the UAE Ministry of the Interior.
The officers joined 15 other participants in ALEAA Class 4, representing nine state, local, federal, and international agencies. The 240-hour academy provides rigorous, hands-on training designed to strengthen analytical capabilities and establish consistent professional standards for sworn and non-sworn law enforcement analysts. Class 4 graduated on July 30, 2026, with the three UAE officers becoming the first international graduates in ALEAA history.
The following week, Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of AZDPS, joined Captain Mohamed Alhmoudi of the UAE Ministry of the Interior and Major Bill Beck, Director of the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center, to recognize the officers’ achievement and celebrate their promotions.
For Colonel Glover, the milestone represents more than the completion of a training program. It reflects AZDPS’s growing commitment to building meaningful international partnerships that strengthen public safety capabilities both in Arizona and abroad.
“The best partnerships are built on mutual respect and a willingness to learn from one another,” Colonel Glover said. “Through this program, we exchanged ideas, strengthened our capabilities, and developed relationships that extend well beyond the academy."
During the August 4 ceremony, Officer Alhefeiti, Officer Alshehhi, and Officer Alyammahi received IACP medallions recognizing international cooperation. AZDPS was also presented with the IACP Diamond Award in recognition of the Department’s commitment to advancing collaboration and professional development within the global policing community.
The exchange is part of a broader multi-agency cooperation agreement involving the IACP, the UAE, AZDPS, and partner organizations. The agreement creates opportunities for law enforcement professionals from around the world to participate in training hosted by partner agencies, exchange expertise, and develop relationships that strengthen collective public safety efforts.
Under Colonel Glover’s leadership, AZDPS has continued to expand partnerships across jurisdictions, disciplines, and international borders. The Department values its strong and growing relationship with the UAE and looks forward to creating additional opportunities to share knowledge, develop leaders, and strengthen public safety together.
AZDPS also extends its sincere appreciation to the Department personnel and partner agencies whose continued support of ALEAA makes opportunities like this possible.
