Traffic police officer ‘stole cash from drivers, claiming it was for charity’

Abu Dhabi traffic cop accused of stealing sums of Dh1,500 and Dh1,350, telling one motorist that he will distribute the cash to the poor instead of issuing him a fine.

ABU DHABI // A traffic policeman forced motorists into paying him cash that he claimed was for charity, a court heard on Tuesday.

A Bangladeshi motorist told Abu Dhabi Criminal Court that the officer was in an unmarked car when he stopped him and asked for his driving licence and car registration.

As he was taking the cards out of his wallet, the policeman snatched the wallet from his hand and threatened to issue him a fine of Dh5,000 if he did not pay him Dh1,500 in cash.

“He then took the money by himself and left,” the motorist said.

Another man told the court that the officer used the same ploy with him when he was leaving Baniyas to drive home.

“He was driving a police car and wearing the police uniform,” said the man. “He stopped me and said I was speeding.”

The policeman then searched him but found only Dh80 in his pockets.

“He then asked for my wallet, but I refused to tell him where it was,” the man said.

The officer then inspected the car himself and found the wallet before stealing Dh1,350 from it, claiming that he would distribute the money to the poor instead of issuing him with a fine, the man said.

The policeman denied the charges, saying he was never on duty in Baniyas.

The case was adjourned until February 11.