Question QUESTION: Someone asked me if a Mexican national gets bribed by the police who do they report it to? I know it's probably not the same as where a tourist would go.
ANSWER: That someone -looks like- asked the wrong question. Normally in this country police do not bribe. Rather, it is all the way around. Just like in the States and many "first world" countries, citizens are the ones who get involved in corruption and bribe AUTHORITIES.
If interested in what goes on in Mexico in this regard, I recommend this article:
Mario Gonzŕlez-Romŕn
President
www.SecurityCornerMexico.com
Culture of Safe Travel and Crime, Loss Prevention
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: This is what was said by her. It seems like bribery.
So my husband went to the bday party for the young son of some friends of ours in MX and he had a few beers, however, his friend wasn't drinking and was his designated driver (not that hubby even has a car). We spoke at about 10 and he was fine but he was waiting for his friend to pass by for him. Anyhoo around 11:15 i get a call and he says that on their way to his place the "police" pulled his friend over and then proceeded to say since my husband was a little tipsy...he is 'required" to pay a fine to them right now (of course in the form and up to the amount of whatever is in wallet, pockets, etc.). My husband proceeds to ask them, "Then what is the deal with all the stupid commercials about having a "conductor designado" on the TV." And the cops are like well, this is the law now, and bla blah blah. So they empty his pockets and take out his wallet and he's like "you know what, i'm going to give you the money if you let me go but drop the crap about this being a legal stop and you doing your job protecting the people of Mexico, there is no such law and you just want my money." They took it and left. His friend didn't have any money on him, besides a few pesos, and since he (the driver!) hadn't been drinking they let him go and my husabnd walked home for about 30-40 minutes through some random neighborhoods, since his friend was worried about being tailed and stopped again (which prob. would've happened). I'm actually not mad at my husband since he was the only decent person involved in this story, albeit FAR from perfect, however these guys are just pathetic low -lifes. I was more upset than he was about the money,though VERY happy he gave it up and instead of getting carted off for no good reason, because he has worked 6 days this week - over 60 hrs of hard manual labor for a $60/wk paycheck.
Answer Dear Dora:
I've received a second question with more information about this incident. Your husband, as indicated in my previous input, can file a police report at the closest Ministerio Publico.
If you are a US cit possibly the American Consulate closest to the area where this occurred can provide some assistance, if I can help please write direct to me at frog_mario@hotmail.com
Best Regards
Mario Gonzŕlez-Romŕn
President
www.securitycornermexico.com
Culture of Safe Travel, Crime and Loss Prevention in Mexico
