Boy, 7, stops traffic in rush-hour role as police officer

Little Abdullah Al Katbi saw his dream to become a traffic police officer become a reality as he directed back-to-school traffic on Sunday morning

Abdullah Al Katbi got a run-out as a traffic officer after his father wrote to police about his dream. RAK Police

A 7-year-old Emirati boy got a hands-on experience of back-to-school rush-hour traffic when he helped police in Ras Al Khaimah direct vehicles at a busy roundabout.

Abdullah Al Katbi dreams of becoming a traffic police officer and on Sunday morning that dream became a reality after his father contacted RAK Police to tell them about his boy’s ambition.

Dressed in a specially made lieutenant uniform, little Abdullah helped officers direct traffic for an hour as parents whisked their children off to the nearby RAK Academy.

“I was so happy, surprised and excited. Being a policeman is not easy but this is what I want to be in the future and my dream,” said Abdullah.

His father said that he surprised his son on Sunday morning with the news of what he was to get up to.

“He is always talking about how he wants to be a police officer, drive a police car and serve the country, so today he was surprised and excited,” said Hamad Al Katbi.

“We took off at 6.30am and police officers gave him a talk on how to direct cars to reduce road congestion, and then he started giving orders to the vehicles on the road with a big smile.”

Brig Mohammed Al Humaidi, director general of central operations at RAK Police, said Abdullah learnt fast and understood the responsibility of the role.

“He was introduced to the traffic police officer’s duties and responsibilities and how they control traffic and direct motorists, vehicles and school buses along, in addition to students’ safety measures,” he said.

“It’s was a move to break the ice and build trust between children and police.”

After hours on the road, Abdullah went along with police officials to Othman Bin Abi Alas School to wish pupils all the best for the start of the new academic year and to spread the road-safety message among them.