The Police of Riyadh Province was initiated in 1375 H (1955). It consisted then of several police stations under the supervision of the emir of the Riyadh Province. The Department was restructured to emulate a successful model from developed countries. Several units and divisions were set up including planning and programmes, criminal, technical and educational divisions.
A police training institute was established to train the staff within the Kingdom. The institute has been central to the development of an effective policing philosophy and has produced highly trained and qualified law enforcement officers. The technical staff at the police of Riyadh province attended 17 training courses organised by the institute. Likewise, law enforcement officers have attended several special training courses taught by knowledgeable and experienced Saudi instructional staff.
The Riyadh province police stations underwent restructuring and their operational plans and organisational charts were outlined. To keep-up with the rapid urban growth within the province, several new police stations have been established.
In 1395 H (1975), portable radio accessibility was brought to mobile patrol and emergency officers who carried seven patrols at the beginning. The number has since risen to 120 patrols around the clock. The Mobile Patrol and Emergency Division has also been modernised, an advanced operations room has been installed and new criminal laboratories were set up to maintain security, control and track down fugitives. A criminal evidence division was set up to investigate crimes and the circumstances surrounding them.
The police of Riyadh province has begun using computers in its various divisions such as the criminal investigations and administrative divisions. Criminal records, names of wanted persons, fugitives, suspects and stolen cars details are now being entered into computer databases. Police patrols and the criminal investigations division have been equipped with data terminals to enable them to coordinate with field officers. The technical division uses data terminals to compile statistics, record cases and judgments issued for easy accessibility.