Abu Dhabi Police honour traffic officers for helping pedestrian cross road safely

Abu Dhabi Police honour traffic officers for helping pedestrian cross road safely

Abu Dhabi Police have officially recognised two traffic officers for their humanitarian response in helping a pedestrian cross the road safely, underscoring the force's dedication to community service that extends beyond conventional law enforcement.

Major General Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, presented commendations to First Corporal Khalid Abdulaziz Al Kaabi and First Corporal Hamad Ali Al Shamsi from the Traffic and Patrols Directorate during a ceremony attended by senior police officials.

The recognition comes as part of a broader culture of celebrating positive conduct across UAE police forces. The acknowledgement reflects the force's strategic approach to promoting compassionate policing and social responsibility among its officers.

Commitment to humanitarian values

Major General Al Muhairi emphasised that the commendation demonstrates Abu Dhabi Police's commitment to fostering humanitarian values championed by the UAE's leadership. He noted that effective policing encompasses not only security and law enforcement but also providing assistance to community members whenever needed.

The Traffic and Patrols Directorate has been actively involved in pedestrian safety initiatives, including participation in the GCC Traffic Week held in May 2026 under the theme 'Cross Safely', which focused on encouraging the use of designated crossings and improving pedestrian safety awareness.

Pedestrian safety progress

Pedestrian safety remains a significant concern in the UAE. According to Ministry of Interior data from 2023, run-over accidents accounted for 61 fatalities, representing 16 per cent of total road deaths. The directorate has achieved notable progress in this area, recording a 60 per cent reduction in pedestrian deaths over a five-year period, from 118 to 48 fatalities, despite a 45 per cent increase in registered vehicles.

Both honoured officers expressed pride in the recognition, stating that assisting community members is an essential aspect of their duties and a source of motivation to continue serving with dedication. They noted that the commendation reflects Abu Dhabi Police's vision of delivering proactive, people-centred policing that enhances quality of life and community safety.

Community-oriented policing

The ceremony was attended by Brigadier Nasser Suleiman Al Maskari, Director of the Central Operations Sector, and Brigadier Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Acting Director of the Directorate of Traffic and Security Patrols.

Abu Dhabi Police, which has grown from an initial brigade of 80 officers in 1957 to more than 47,000 officers by 2021, received international recognition in 2021 with a six-star rating from the European Foundation for Quality Management and the first-ever Outstanding Achievement for Community Partnership award for their community engagement efforts.

The force's commitment to community initiatives is demonstrated through programmes such as the Happiness Patrol, launched by the Traffic and Patrols Directorate in May 2026 on International Workers' Day, which distributed gifts and supplies to workers across various locations.

Recognition ceremonies for outstanding police performance are a regular practice across UAE police forces, reinforcing institutional values and encouraging officers to maintain high standards of public service.