29 replies to this topic

[Tcat]

I have been stopped twice in a year. In both cases, they just wanted to really know who I am. I never offered jack boo. I do walk and bike around Otay and wave to the cops as they go by. They are typically responsive with a wave or a short blast of the siren. One cop that has a beat
(walking) on Bellas Artis has become a pretty good buddy. I don't really speak Spanish, however he does eat the small candies I hand him and the other (private) security guards.

I am sure that the corruption game happens, and they have never tried it on me. I wouldn't even think to play it. The locals know me and would I am sure, raise a stink if some one tried that stupid game.

To me, its all about following the Golden Rule. Treat others as you wish to be treated. I have a great deal of respect for 1st responders (police/fire/medics). I am susprised at how well most (not all) of the TJ cops speak English. The cops here have been as professional as any in Seattle area (to me). Just today the police in a truck stopped in the road to create a place for me to walk my bike across the large road near the border crossing as I needed to get east after crossing into TJ. I responded with a smile and a wave.

Maybe its about being known. Maybe it is about attitude and not causing grief. I guess most tourists don't run around on a bike, so I look "local" to them.

[boozr619]

droog, you would've been jacked for your car and all your money, plus taken to atm to withdraw money. That's why I use my beat up '78 El Camino with Mexican plates instead of my '02 F-150 to move around in TJ. Cops don't even peek inside while driving on bikes. TJ cops suck

[felix]

I read in some book on Mexico that the reason the cops solicit bribes is because they make so little money. Does anyone know what the average cop makes in salary?

[vagabundo]

I read in some book on Mexico that the reason the cops solicit bribes is because they make so little money. Does anyone know what the average cop makes in salary?

I recent article in the UT said that by the end of 2007 the average starting salary for a TJ police officer would be around $1500. Their salaries have doubled in the last 3 years.


http://www.signonsan...1n17extort.html

[boozr619]

Despite getting better salaries, municipal cops still have to answer to their superiors by meeting a monetary quota, I'm not sure if it's on a daily or weekly basis, the money trickles all the way to the top. In mafia speak, this would mean cops are the earners generating dough for the bosses. Even if good cops want to be honest, they can't because their superiors pressure them to meet a quota or get out of the force. That's why they're such dicks, they gotta' shake down people to pay to keep their jobs. A sad reality that has become a tradition in Tijuana. Check out the weekly Zeta newspaper, these guys really break it down on how the system works. Check out zetatijuana.com

[Cowboy]

20-40 bucks. That's awesome rumor on the street is 25k makes anything go away in TJ.

[senorstew]

I was living in Playas for a while when I found out about a publication called "The Baja Emergency Guide". I think I paid $12 for it, but it's well worth it. I believe you can get details on how to acquire it at http://BajaEmergencyGuide.com.

Anyway, it covers a multitude of topics including what to do before you go to Mexico, the ins-and-outs of making telephone calls while in Mexico, Mexican health care facilities, important telephone numbers for every major (and many minor) cities in Baja, and Mexican law enforcement.

Regarding the law enforcement part, one person listed in this publication suggested keeping an index card handy with the phrase, "Ll'eveme por favor a la oficina de policias. Deseo hablar al Juez Calificador", which basically says, "Please take me to the police station. i wish to speak to the judge." Below that write the word "Sindicatura" and the phone numbers for each city. In Tijuana, the numbers are (664) 973-7770, and (664) 973-7759.

This will tell the policeman that you know their laws. It works. They will let you go and find a more gullible target. Unless, of course, you really are guilty of a serious traffic offense and they must cite you.

If you are issued a traffic citation in Tijuana, you can pay by mail (if you want to) in the US with a check or money order. Call the Tourist Hotline "078" (no cell phones) or (664 634-6330, or (664)634-6574 for more info.

[Pieancho]

I recently met a Mexican man who speaks perfect English near Puerto Vallarta and told me about his past and present job. He spoke English so well I asked him how he learned it. He said he lived in Manteca, Ca and was a drug seller and got caught and spent 17 years in San Quintin Prison.

When released he was deported to Mexico. He went to a town where he had a cousin who was a federal highway patrol officer. That cousin told him to be a policeman in Mexico, one had to be able to stand up to criminals. This man thought to himself that he spent 17 years standing up against thieves and murders in prison, so maybe he could do this police work.

This guy went to the local police commander and that evening the police made a raid on some narcos and he went along. There was shooting and he stood his ground and made the arrests. So he was given a job in another small city. He said the pay was terrible and he could not pay the rent or support his wife. So he was forced to do acts that included bribes, kickbacks for help, and being paid off by crooks to have charges dropped.

Eventually, he was sent to another town and he became that area's police commander. And he conducted business the same as the previous town. The main difference was he had to deal with stronger narcos and play their game because he did not make enough money still to support his family.

Now he is the Toursit Police Commander for Nuevo Vallarta. He is paid well, and has even bought a small home nearby. He said he no longer needs to be corrupt, because he makes enough money to support his family and he is even able to vacation and invest in another property.

The tourist commander insisted that he lives a comfortable life now without taking bribes or drumming up phony charges or even taking payments from those under him. He is happy that he can live an honest life now.

However, he now wants to quit the police force and do something else. He now lives honestly and is happy, but he is in fear of the narcos that he no longer does business with. He is fearful that they will threaten his life or that of his wife and children.

I never asked him exactly how much he was paid, how much he made from corruption or how much he is now paid, but I think the story is very revealing.

[otayBill]

Nice story.

According to Transparency International Mexico is less corrupt than the world average. On a listing of 179 Countries Mexico was number 72. Denmark is the lest corrupt at number 1. Somalia and Burma tie for the most corrupt at 179. USA is 20, worse than Canada, Australia and the UK.

http://www.transpare...ndices/cpi/2007

[Chiquito]

Hard to say Somalia is corrupt when effectively there is no government to be corrupt. Just an anarchy controlled by who is more powerful.

There is no Burma. What was Burma is no Myanmar. Another disaster in it's own right.