perform a host of functions from fire-fighting to ambulance services to thermal imagery in anti-smuggling operations. ROP also maintains horse and camel mounted troopers, who patrol terrains inaccessible to motor vehicles. The camel mounted officers are easy to be spotted on patrol near the Omani border, whereas horse-mounted officers are a common sight on Muscat's beaches. Academy and training Initially, Police training School at Qurum trained police cadres. On 9 November 1976, the first passing out ceremony of the School of Oman's first batch of Cadre Officers was conducted here under the patronage of the Sultan. In 1980, the Sultan opened the Police Academy near Nizwa, recently renamed as the Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences. It provides basic training for police personnel, as well as diploma courses in police sciences for university graduates or those with equivalent qualifications. It also trains candidates for senior positions in the ROP. The Police College, which is within the SQAPS complex, was established in 2000 and trains ROP officers and awards diplomas and degrees in law and police sciences. The Traffic Safety Institute was set up to train both traffic police personnel and road users. Specialized forces In addition to regular police duties, the Royal Oman Police is also charged with specialized missions. Royal Oman Police Coast Guard In co-operation with the Royal Navy of Oman, the Coast Guard division looks after Oman's territorial waters and conducts rescues of people in distress at sea. Headquartered in Muscat, the Omani Coast Guard is led by Brigadier General Bader Khalfan Al Zadgali. Regarding smuggling and piracy issues in the region the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard established relations and partnerships with actors in the region. Combined Task Forces 150 and 151 regularly reach Muscat for talks and cooperation through senior visits such as those by Commodore Daryl Bate in Muscat ROP HQ in 2014 and by Rear Admiral Ayhan Bay in 2015. The EU's Operation Atalanta is also a major partner as illustrated by Bader Khalfan Al Zadgali's 2017 meeting with Rear Admiral Gregori then commander of the EU mission. While GCC and western forces are key players in the area, and in accordance with wider Oman policy the Royal Oman Police maintain talks on smuggling with Iran. A dedicated summit with Brigadier Galal Stara, Commander of the Coast Guard Forces in the Islamic Republic of Iran, was held in march 2017. A Sea Rescue