By paying the bribe, you avoid any escalation. The burden of de-escalation does not fall on private citizens it falls on police officers. Just a short distance from the airport - maybe 5 miles - we were flagged by a police officer on a motorcycle and instructed to pull off the highway. 1. The first reason is that there is simply a higher concentration of police officers in these areas. You may not even speak the language. If you are asked by a police officer if they can search you or your belongings, you have the right to say no, under the Fourth Amendment . [6] While changing lanes from left to right, use your turn signal. The city already has a poor reputation when it comes to crime and safety. If you are being pulled over for a minor infraction, you are not required to go to the police station. Multiple murders, assaults, robberies. Drinking Water in Tijuana: Is the Tap Water Safe to Drink? All of this makes it easier for corrupt police to get away with soliciting bribes. Act like you have all of the time in the world. A local knows the local laws and their rights. If you end up committing a traffic violation, you should expect to pay a traffic fine or multa in Spanish. what to do if stopped by mexican police July 1, 2022 what to do if stopped by mexican police All of this adds to the stress. Maybe you were caught texting while driving. We must note, bribery is a federal offense, and you should not offer him the 200 pesos but make it very clear that the 200 pesos are all that you have and that youd really like to find a way to make it work. Tijuana also has a long history of crime, corruption, violence, and vice. While talking to the officer, be patient. The abusive behavior of Mexico's police forces is the result of multiple factors, . For more info, check out this news article. Important: If you are stopped for committing a traffic violation or any other kind of crime, never attempt to bribe an officer to get out of a fine. You have recourses, including filing a complaint if your rights were not respected. You will also be told what you did wrong. metrowest thunder softball; trello export archived cards. The streets are also kind of confusing. Thats not a receipt, thats just some scribbles. In the past, most fines cost only $20-$50. If you are stopped at night, turn your interior dome light on. Some wont take no for an answer. The more severe the crime, the higher the fine. That wraps up our advice for how to deal with the corrupt cops in Mexico. Our best tip is to empty your wallet before you drive anywhere (including credit and debit cards) except for 100 or 200 pesos and your drivers license and hide the rest of your cash somewhere he will never find it like down your pants, in your socks, or in your bra or other underwear. If youre just walking down the street to the next bar, try to blend in as best you can. A cruise stop, or a flight destination town (Acapulco, Cancun, etc) is one thing. Look for a safe area to stop completely. We showed our hand (which was as bad as an off-suit 2 and 7, if you play poker) and he took advantage. They dont want a worse reputation. Weve all heard the stories about the corrupt cops south of the border. One of the reasons Ill never go to Mexico. If you encounter a particularly corrupt officer, you might be forced to pay a bribe to get out of the situation. As a tourist, the most common form of police corruption youre likely to encounter is an officer stopping you and soliciting a bribe. If the police hear you speaking English or another foreign language, theyll know youre a tourist. You must remain in your car and wait for the officer to approach you and ask for your licence and registration. There is no avoiding it. Some people prefer to pay and get it over with while others avoid paying bribes at all costs. In this case, negotiate the best you can and pay. You can read the whole story about the armed robbery here. By paying a bribe, you lower your risk by avoiding confrontation with the officer. I like this Pacsafe Metrosafe LS350 Anti-Theft 15l Travel Backpack. RV Daily Tips. Police patrol these areas looking for traffic violations and tourists they can target. what to do if stopped by mexican police. Basically, a corrupt officer will pull you over while driving or stop you on the street, accuse you of committing a crime, then tell you that you need to pay a fine (bribe) in cash. After the robbery, the police went after the criminals immediately. Its just an attempt to collect cash off the books. If he does that, get the heck out of there. Now, we want to break down two approaches that we absolutely do not recommend trying. As another reader said theres just too much great things to see in America, to subject ourselves to that! The crime was taken very seriously. Tuesday, February 28, 2023. If you liked this post, you would probably enjoy these three: Through traveling to almost 50 countries and living in 4 of them, Ive had really cool opportunities to learn a lot about the world and its people. 1. One friend got shook down on the highway. If youre a Discover Baja member, you can also email us at ask@discoverbaja.com with the above information and we will contact the Secretary of Tourism directly for you. He got out of his car, came back to mine and simply said, Go home.. The officer took a credit card out of the mans wallet, asked for his pin, and withdrew $400 from an ATM. Every time we tell this story to our Mexican friends, they are torn between cracking up at our stupidity or pitying our navet. As mentioned earlier, police may also be more likely to pull you over if youre driving a nice car. While talking to the officer, try to take note of their badge number and their name. Get your country in order before you put down mine! Here, youll find dozens of bars, clubs, breweries, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The tactics we mention today are a blend of advice from Mexicans and expats living in Mexico, and we think after reading this post youll be ready to handle any twisted cop that comes your way in Mexico or the rest of Latin America. The corruption tends to decrease the higher up the chain you go, and the tactics vary entirely. What you say can be used against you, and it can give the police an excuse to arrest you, especially if you badmouth a police officer. In later years, Tijuana became one of the most strategically important border cities in Mexico for the cartels transporting drugs across the border. While youre walking around, some good places to hide cash are in your phone case behind your phone or in your shoe under the inserts. If you pay, you are partially responsible for perpetuating corruption. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links, including links from the Amazon Serivices LLC Associates Program. Whether you have a tour, a meeting, a flight, a dinner, or whatever, dont mention it! Winter Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking Tips, Cold Weather Cycling: 30 Tips for Riding a Bike in the Winter. If the officer is trying to make you pay a fine in cash, politely decline and insist that they give you a written citation instead. If you end up having to pay a bribe, youll get away for $50-$100 (500-1000 pesos) in most cases. Some frequent Tijuana travelers recommend that you write the words Sindicatura Del Gobierno Municipal along with their phone number on a piece of paper and tape it to your drivers license or in a visible place on the dashboard of your vehicle. I subscribed to your newsletter. If it's a scam the officer is forwarned I'm going to call the Sindicatura office, and don't have to say a word. Paying a bribe to a corrupt officer means you fell victim to a crime. Sorry youre going to miss our gym. Tijuanas police force is extremely underfunded. Driving to Baja? Avoid driving at night, especially in remote areas. If youre willing to pay, the interaction will go smoothly and quickly. You dont want to stand out or give the officer any reason to stop you and hassle you. A woman who claimed she was a teacher, driving a white Mercedes-Benz, got stopped by a Latino Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Deputy for using her cell phone while she was driving, then launched into a tirade in which she repeatedly accused him of being a "murderer," then concluded, "Mexican racist. They issue themselves fake documents, badges, and uniforms. Avoid drawing any attention to yourself. If you'll be arriving on the trolley, you'll use El Chaparral. Under your seat covers is a good option. The national police force, more commonly referred to as the National Guard, are the highest level of police that exists in the country. Especially during the day when there are lots of tourists entering and leaving. Dont dilly dally or loiter around. Being stopped by a law enforcement officer can be a stressful experience but knowing what to do during the stop will help ensure your safety, the safety of other motorists, and the safety of the officer. Read Please give me my ticket. Many tourists dont know the language either. All of this makes it easier for a corrupt police officer to take advantage of tourists than locals. While youre driving, find a hidden place in your car to stash some cash. Recently, Tijuana started offering the option to pay some traffic fines on the spot with a credit card or debit card. Enjoy it if you go, I wont be in your way. These are the offers you would find at a regular police station, and they are also the most likely to engage in corrupt activities and solicit cash bribes. Sometimes they will insist on seeing your original passport. The same is true if you ever get robbed. For weekly travel inspiration and in-depth travel tips from a seasoned pro, make sure to subscribe to our weekly mailing list. When this happens, the officer may accuse you of carrying illegal substances and insist on searching you. If the officer is trying to make you pay a fine in cash, politely decline and insist that they give you a written citation instead. These fake cops tend to target tourists. The less time you spend walking on the street, the less likely you are to get stopped by a corrupt officer. This is due to the seedy nature of the area. -If you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation, you should request a written citation from the officer. Say, "I do not consent to this search." If the officer reaches into your bag or pockets, this is a search. Ideally, youll want to speak to someone in the office of the Sindicatura Del Gobierno Municipal. Outside of the tourist areas, police seem to be few and far between. ), so my actual license stayed in my pocket. over to the side of the road at the first opportunity when it is safe. According to this article from the San Diego Tribune, fake police in Tijuana are often former officers who lost their job. If a corrupt Tijuana police officer insists that you pay a bribe and wont let you go, there are a number of ways to deal with the situation. Tijuana police corruption has been a serious problem for decades. A $400 speeding ticket could cost a months salary for an average person living in Tijuana. Youll still have your backup money. CA License# 4001692 Carol J. Kramer. Whether you are a native Spanish speaker, or you've been practicing for the whole last year, or you only learned the word taco last month, dont even try to speak a word of Spanish. The first cop might not have even been a police officer! In other words, they will ask you to pay a bribe. According to this article from the San Diego Tribune, most officers earn around $166 per week working 48 hours. While I was apologizing profusely for my error to one officer, my male traveling companion was talking to another on the passenger side. Basically, they will threaten to escalate the situation in order to scare you. Your best option depends on a number of factors including how the officers behavior, the crime youre being accused of, your level of comfort with this type of situation, and how well you speak Spanish. You also know that youre paying the appropriate fine for the crime. After all, Tijuana makes a large portion of its revenue from tourism. If possible, drive in groups in remote areas. Keep your hands where the police can see them. When it happens it is almost always in remote areas, and its not pretty. If the officer refuses to take your card, you should request a paper ticket instead. I have read about this method on two Baja travel forums but have never tried it. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. When the officer activates. With basic Spanish, youll be able to communicate with the officer that you want a written citation. The point is, we were caught extremely off guard and unprepared. Have ever been out late boozing in a big US city? Don't run. More on that later. "They captured many, many, many of these drug trafficking . 2 junio, 2022; google load balancer path prefix rewrite; how much does it cost to join peninsula yacht club . Everyone also has a different philosophy about best how to handle police corruption and bribery. Worse yet, according to this article from CBS8, the meager officers salary ends up having them buy their own police vehicle, paint for the car and their own gun and bullets to use for work. These expenses add up quickly. Be sure to take note of the time and location that you received the ticket as well as the name or badge number of the officer or the identification number of the police car he was driving. . I agree. par ; juillet 2, 2022 2. The officer carries a credit card machine in their car. The corrupt cops get off on power, and if you stroke their ego theyre more likely to be nice to you. These days, almost every violation costs well over $100. Youll want to double-check the mailing address before you send in your check or money order. to remain calm and be polite to the officer. This is a lie. In this case, they may demand that you pay $300-$500. I missed a small stop sign partially hidden behind some bushes while driving my Class B motorhome. Worst case, you waste some time and annoy the officer a bit. In this section, I'll outline three ways to respond when getting stopped by a corrupt police officer in Tijuana. Fake officers have been found operating in many touristy areas around the city as well as several of the main plazas around the city including Plaza Rio, Plaza Fiesta, and Plaza del Zapato. Leave your guns at home. Collecting a $200 bribe from a tourist could earn them more than their weekly salary. Here, youll find a number of bars and strip clubs. This number will connect you to an English-speaking person. what to do if stopped by mexican police. This is the internal affairs department of the Tijuana police. When I inquired how, my friend informed me he asked the officer if he could pay the fine here instead of going to the station, and took out $20. If youre prepared and know what to expect and how to behave, the police interaction will go much smoother. The drive from Puebla to Mexico City takes about two hours, and we planned on getting to the airport a full four hours in advance of our flight, just in case we hit any hiccups along the way. Driven Mex 200 from Bahia Kino to Puerto Angel with many side trips away from the coast (Tequila, Patzcuaro, Guadalajara, etc.) In most cases, the officer is bluffing to try to get you to pay. They do this for several reasons. They may also insist on patting you down or searching your pockets, backpack, purse, or wallet. Very slowly. Sometimes they will tell you that you will have to spend the night in jail. In rare cases, an officer could demand you to get more money from an ATM. Remember officers' badge numbers, patrol car numbers, and physical descriptions. 21 hours ago. Of course, corruption isnt the only crime that exists in Tijuana. After receiving a written citation, you can immediately go to the nearest police station and speak to a municipal judge if you choose. I have not experienced true thuggery at the hands of Mexican police, but I know it sometimes happens. The second time I got stopped, it was a pure mordita shakedown and nothing more. The best way to avoid getting hassled by fake police in Tijuana is by traveling in a group or with a local. The judge can dismiss the ticket, reduce it, or uphold it. You dont have as many rights or freedoms in Mexico as you do back home. But, driving from Point A to Point B in a foreign land, where corruption runs rampant amongst those that are sworn (actually not sure about that) to protect, is not worth the risk to me & my family. However, you cannot assume officers . In most cases, the officer will only take what you have on you. Fake police scams were more common a few years back. There are Mexican and U.S. mailing addresses. Because fake police officers dont have to worry about losing their job, they can be even more aggressive. You may not have any choice in the matter. What surprises me, is that anyone is willing to risk an RV trip into Mexico. It is both corrupt for them to ask for money and illegal for you to bribe a police officer. If you continue to refuse to pay a bribe, the officer will usually give you a written citation or simply let you go. In theory, you could be charged for committing the crime of bribery. After getting Mexican license plates for his car, he hadnt been pulled over since. DO not take arms or ammo to either Mexico or Canada. To prevent this, its a good idea to reduce your daily withdraw limit on your credit and debit cards when you visit Tijuana. During prohibition, Tijuana became a popular destination for legal drinking and gambling. For some trips, this is a good option. The problem with making a call during a police stop or threatening to file a complaint after is that it will anger the officer. The fragmenting of Mexico's criminal gangs and armed groups has helped fuel rising violence in recent years, with this year on track to break last year's record for homicides. To avoid this scam, keep a close eye on your phone, camera, and all of your belongings while youre out and about. If you get lost, walk into a store or restaurant to look at the map. Fighting a corrupt system and winning feels great. Its almost impossible to get your belongings back if theyre stolen. Likewise, for all practical purposes, the practice doesnt show any signs of stopping. Keep in mind that the prices listed above arent exact. Sister City Signing Ceremony (September 5, 2016) Government. This is probably to leave some plausible deniability. In Mexico, motorists follow the officer to the nearest police station then and there. It will anger the officer. Reports suggest that Prince Andrew will be leaving Royal Lodge along with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, terminating his lease agreement with the Crown Estate at the request of his brother. Once you come to an agreement, you can pay the officer and theyll send you on your way. Of course, you dont want to change your course blatantly or youll look suspicious. If they receive enough reports about the same officer, they may be disciplined or let go. This is done to scare you into believing that youre really in trouble with the law. The police spotted the migrants using X-ray machines at a checkpoint in Tuxta Gutierrez, and then pursued the trucks until they stopped, reports EFE. I recommend the Eagle Creek Undercover Silk Money Belt. While walking around Tijuana, never carry anything illegal. For more info, check out this article about the recent increase in traffic fine prices in Tijuana. Required fields are marked *. The police interaction in Tijuana can begin in a number of ways. This website utilizes some advertising services. RV Tire Safety: Are you sure you can change a flat tire? In most cases, youre better off waiting until the interaction is over before calling to report the incident. They can pull you over for the smallest infraction or for no reason at all. That being the case, you would think that it would lead the cops to being very abusive and prone to excessive force. The city needs 5,000 police. Sounds like he handled the situation perfectly. Play Dumb. What I just described is how traffic stops in Mexico should work according to the book. In some situations, the officer may tell you not to make any calls. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. State police forces are slightly higher up the food chain than local police forces, and they are also slightly less corrupt, on average. Additional tips for traffic stops in Mexico. Also, keep in mind that going to the police station is a hassle. We have RVed the Baja end to end. I have had two personal experiences with traffic stops in Mexico in the last six years. Cops very nice. Ive regularly seen passels of kids loose in the back of pickup trucks and the police do not bat an eye, let alone stop those vehicles. When youre intimidated, youre less likely to notice that they arent real cops. He could smell our fear and displeasure, and he wanted to wring every penny possible out of us. If you decide to rent a car, choose a basic compact car instead of a luxury vehicle. Locals are not happy with the traffic fine increase because the new fines are simply unaffordable. In this scam, the dealer sells drugs to a tourist. They could accuse you of jaywalking or trespassing. If the officer accused you of a minor crime, they usually ask for $100. First, youll receive a small discount. By admitting you did commit the violation (even if you didnt) and accepting whatever kind help the officer offers, youre probably going to get out of the situation just fine. The address should be printed on the ticket. If you ended up having to pay a bribe, chances are you wont get your money back when you call to report a corrupt officer. But if you find yourself in this type of unfortunate encounter, you will need to judge the mood and danger of the situation and your location yourself. Use poor grammar while speaking. You cant drive until 11am today. Criminals have also been known to get their hands on real police badges, jackets, and hats and pose as police officers. We want to highlight 3 approaches that work very well in handling the police. This is a lie. If youre naturally hot-headed, youll want to watch your temper and be careful while visiting Tijuana. If it makes you feel any better, it regularly happens to Mexican nationals as well as gringos. More on negotiation later. Bribery is part of the culture. For example, while visiting Tijuana, I was in a bar that was robbed by two armed men. How Much do Traffic Tickets Cost in Tijuana? Paying a bribe supports a corrupt system and promotes future corruption. We followed him down the ramp and rolled down the window to hear what he had to say. Do not physically resist, but do say, "I do not consent to this search." If an officer asks you to empty your pockets, do it. You dont want the police or other criminals to notice you. Of course, going to the police station is better than giving money to a corrupt police officer. The officer ended up taking all of his cash. If you are asked to get out of the car for an inspection, be sure to take your wallet or purse with you, along with pets. You're always gonna be a Mexican. If you are stopped, detained, or arrested by the police, you have rights! After 4 years of RVing, we are only about 1/3rd of our way thru our bucket list. See the tips below. If you are stopped for a traffic violation in Mexico, you will be asked for your drivers license, vehicle registration, and possibly proof of insurance. Unlike in the states, most road infractions are quite reasonable (usually under $20). If you attempt to bribe an honest officer, you could end up with a bigger fine or even jail time. "Dame mi multa, por favor." Read Kevin's Blog on the same subject. Great article. Most of the stuff mentioned in the article happened to me in one traffic stop in Greybull, Wyoming in the early 1970s. Yes. Always be respectful. Show him that 200 pesos are all you have and ask if there is anything he can do to help you. For different reasons, these approaches are more likely to get you locked into paying a price, and probably a higher one than he initially asks for, too. This area is heavily policed. what to do if stopped by mexican police. Instead, leave them at home or lock them up in your hotel room safe. We gave him 20 pesos ($1). You can park your car on the U.S. side of the border in San Ysidro or Otay Mesa. If they find something illegal, you could end up with a seriously big fine (thousands of dollars) or jail time. After all, thats bad for business.