Enab Baladi – Marina Merhej
The performance of some traffic police officers in Damascus and its countryside has drawn criticism amid recurring incidents that highlight weak oversight, poor organization, and a lack of knowledge of basic duties.
Enab Baladi observed several such incidents in central Damascus. In one case, newly deployed officers were unfamiliar with the map of official institutions and key public locations in the sectors where they were stationed.
In another incident, passengers of a bus were unable to turn to a traffic policeman for help when the driver charged an illegal fare under the pretext of rising fuel prices. The officer excused himself, claiming the complainant’s location was too far from his post. After inquiry, the officer was found nearby with a colleague but away from their assigned point.
These incidents suggest that the role of traffic police largely remains limited to a symbolic presence on the streets, without effectively providing citizens with services such as guidance, oversight, or enforcement of violations.
Focus on congested areas
Enab Baladi contacted Brig. Gen. Fadi al-Hamish, Director of the Traffic Department in Syria, relaying the observations and asking about the deployment mechanism in Damascus and its countryside, as well as the challenges posed by limited staff and resources.
According to al-Hamish, around 800 traffic officers are stationed in Damascus, distributed across eight sectors, in addition to mobile officers, tow units, and enforcement patrols. In Rural Damascus, there are about 250 officers across five sectors, with mobile officers as well. These estimates cover all three daily shifts.
He explained that officers are primarily assigned to congested areas, roundabouts, and intersections of high traffic importance, while others are placed at less critical signals and roundabouts. Sometimes more than one officer must be stationed at a single roundabout due to heavy congestion and frequent power outages, which require manual operation of traffic signals.
Police respond to complaints
Addressing citizen complaints, al-Hamish noted that some officers’ unfamiliarity with their areas stems from the fact that most are not local residents and have not spent enough time to become acquainted with the city. Frequent transfers between posts due to staff shortages mean their knowledge is often limited to main streets and public spaces.
He suggested introducing awareness courses for traffic officers to familiarize them with landmarks, government buildings, restaurants, and tourist sites. Alternatively, interactive maps could be installed at each checkpoint, with training provided for officers to use them.
Regarding reports of officers abandoning their posts, the Director said ensuring compliance would require more supervising officers or dedicated monitors for each sector, which is difficult under current staffing shortages. He added, “At the end of the day, officers are human beings who need short breaks for rest, prayer, or basic needs.” The solution, he argued, lies in increasing the number of officers at each post to allow shift rotation without disrupting work.
Recruitment challenges
Recruiting more staff requires raising salaries, reducing working hours, and allowing the return of experienced officers to service, al-Hamish said. He noted that former traffic police who have returned have clearly helped regulate traffic flow and improve the performance of new recruits, whom he rated as “good to very good.”
Shadi al-Youssef, former Deputy Interior Minister in the previous Damascus interim government, had earlier told Enab Baladi that a group of former traffic police officers were selected through interviews and given strict instructions to adhere to public order, treat citizens well, and facilitate their needs.
According to al-Youssef, the ministry’s main priority is to provide financial incentives for officers to curb corruption and bribery that plagued the traffic police sector in the past. He added that strict disciplinary measures would be taken against any misconduct, including dismissal.
The Interior Ministry has also designated the hotline number “115” for emergencies, in addition to direct communication with citizens through the presence of officers in the streets.
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