General Directorate of Traffic

Heritage Police

The Heritage Police was established in 2002 under the guidance of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar. Its goal is to bridge the past with the present while carrying out policing duties as they were performed in the 1950s, when the foundations of policing in Qatar were first laid. This era reflects the history of the first generation who took on the responsibility of ensuring security in the country while preserving their cultural heritage through their traditional uniforms. This concept inspired the establishment of a police unit that preserves this valuable legacy, representing the traditions of forefathers who dedicated themselves to serving and uplifting the nation.

The Heritage Police began its operations in Souq Waqif with a single station on Money Exchange Street, later expanding to include the Al-Mana station in Al-Jasra. Over time, their presence grew to include seven stations, extending from the Electricity Market to the Al-Jabr Market. The role of the Heritage Police is not limited to embodying the persona of the policeman of the past century. Their duties extend to various aspects of community life, including: 

Duties of the Heritage Police:

1.    Maintaining security and order in market areas.
2.    Managing traffic in market areas and addressing violations of traffic rules.
3.    Assisting the elderly and people with special needs by facilitating their movements and arranging taxis for them.
4.    Guiding tourists visiting the market areas, helping them learn about the country's historical sites, and responding to their requests for assistance.
5.    Apprehending individuals engaging in public misconduct and referring them to the appropriate authorities.
6.    Reflecting the historical image of the Qatari policeman by preserving the traditional police uniform from the early days of law enforcement in the country.

Units of the Heritage Police:

The Heritage Police comprises the following units:
1.    Foot patrols.
2.    Vehicle registration and licensing.
3.    Driver licensing.
4.    Traffic violation processing.
5.    Residence permit renewals.

Additional Services:

A branch of the Heritage Police provides traffic and passport services, as directed by the Minister of State for Interior Affairs. This branch serves citizens, residents, market employees, and businesses operating in Souq Waqif, enabling them to complete traffic and other government-related transactions. Companies without market activities are only assisted in exceptional cases, such as technical malfunctions in main traffic departments.
The branch offers the following services:

1.    Vehicle registration and licensing, including renewals, ownership transfers, and replacement of damaged license plates.
2.    Renewal of driver’s licenses of all types.
3.    Entry and payment of traffic violations.
4.    Renewal of residence permits and payment of fines for residents.