NYPD competed against Chechen military group linked to Ukraine atrocities during Dubai police games
The NYPD’s tactical response unit participated in a series of SWAT games earlier this month against dozens of police forces around the world — including a Chechen military group that has been accused of conducting some of the worst atrocities in Ukraine.
The Akhmat special police regiment, a Chechen military group that has fought for Russia in Ukraine, was listed as one of 73 teams that took part in the UAE SWAT Challenge on Feb. 5, along with teams from London, San Antonio, Turkey, Iraq and Canada.
The event is billed as a chance to “foster an exchange of tactical techniques and skills among international Swat teams” and “create cooperation between all Swat teams on a global level and for members,” according to its website.
However, security experts and human rights advocates have admonished police departments for not pulling out of the event due to the inclusion of the Akhmat for the second year.
Professor Mark Galeotti, a specialist on Russian security affairs and organized crime, told the Guardian that he “would have expected US pressure on the police forces to voluntarily pull out.”
“I don’t know of any similar cases of US police participation in events alongside teams from Russia, let alone a unit from Chechnya active in Ukraine,” he said, adding, “US participation legitimized the event but far more importantly was a gift to Grozny (and Moscow). The USA ends up looking incompetent at best, downright eager to flout its own rules at worst.”
The leaders of the breakaway republic of Chechnya have been a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin during the war in Ukraine and have been accused of some of the most brutal acts.
The NYPD has participated in the event since its inception in Dubai in 2019, according to the event’s website.
“In a friendly competition, our @NYPDSpecialops Emergency Service Unit team partook in the @swat_challenge and got to showcase their training and techniques—special thanks to @DubaiPoliceHQ for their invitation,” the department wrote on social media following the event.
The Big Apple’s Emergency Service Unit came in 55th place.
A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed it was involved in the event but did not answer any follow-up questions.
News of the NYPD’s participation came just days after NYPD Police Edward Caban jetted to Dubai along with two top aides to Mayor Eric Adams to attend the United Arab Emirates World Governments Summit.
It was unclear what the top cop did on the trip aside from sitting down with UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“During the discussion, Sheikh Saif and the delegation explored the existing bilateral relations between the two nations, emphasising [sic] avenues to enhance cooperation, particularly in security and law enforcement,” according to the memo from the state-run media, which was first reported by Politico.
“They also tackled the significance of the World Governments Summit and its role in advancing strategic development objectives and institutional government reform.”
A spokesperson for the NYPD said it could not disclose his schedule due to security concerns.
