Report police corruption and extorsion in Mexico City and Mexico State
 

The latest online blurb from 400 magazine (Mexican bike mag) has the details on reporting corruption by police or authorities that is directed against motorcyclists. Don't pay bribes!

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/...psa18dfaec.jpg

Great to see that, hopefully it will make a difference.

Having said that the Police went out of their way to help us time and again and not once did we ever got pulled up, I guess we were lucky

Three extended trips throughout Mexico and no hassles whatsoever from police. That's not luck; that's the norm.

Maybe the flier in post 1 should be printed out and kept with your driving licence. LOL

In fact, maybe we should translate it to various languages and do a mock up for each country.

Tim, for now, I am just hoping it will catch on state by state here in Mexico!

Policía de Tráfico...Tampico, Mexico
 

May 22, 2013, my last full riding in Mexico, I got my first flat tire in 8 months and the first attempted shake down/bribe in 21 counties.

I was a little distracted going into Tampico as we got a little confused getting through this town in 2009 and I didn't have a GPS this time. Add to the above mix, I had lost 2 hours to a tire change and really wanted to get as close to the Texas border as possible. Dunno know exactly if it was changing lanes without signaling riding too close behind a truck, either way, Trafico cops pulled me over. Polite as can be I present passport and drivers license, offer to pull out my importation papers, the cops decline. Stating I was distracted as I just lost a few hours to a tire change, I ask if they can make this a warning and promise to drive more carefully. The cops shift the conversation into the difficulties they face filling out a ticket for me because I don't have an address in Mexico. My motorcycle is legal in Mexico, I have all the papers, I calmly reply. You will have to come to the office, which is closed at this time. So, you will have to spend the night in Tampico, the cop explain. Ok, I reply.

It is late in the afternoon and it could be the case that what ever office the cops are talking about might actually be closed. For once I could stop early instead of riding deep onto the night. Spending the night in Tampico is not the worst thing that could happen. But escorting me to a hotel, picking me up in the morning, then taking me to some office is not what these cops really want to do.

The cop asked, "Do you have $100 dollars?"

Really? That is way too much to ask for at best a minor lapse in good driving form. I had advice from another rider that never paid a bribe. How did he do it? He just said no. I was calm and not in a rush, two key states.

"Sorry, I just don't take care of thing like this on the side of the road". I replied.

The cop knew he didn't have an easy bribe coming his way. He gazed off into the horizon for a moment, a small smile crossed his face and he handed me my drivers license back. I mumbled something about riding carefully as I put on my helmet and rode away.

Final thought - always have your paperwork organized. I use a presentation book that has plastic sleeves to keep my importation papers, copies and original documents sorted out. I wish I had a copy of the anti-bribe advertisement in my paperwork, displayed on the page next to my importation documents! I would recommend making this ad casually visible in your paperwork to customs or law enforcement officer anyway in Latin America.

Peter, sorry to hear about your incident. Unfortunately, the above pictured advertisement for reporting corruption is for the state of Mexico and the federal district. It won't work for Tamaulipas, the state in which Tampico is located. I can tell you that you are not alone in having been hassled with the attempted extortion. I get first hand info from riders coming through here all the time about their problems. The single biggest problem is that the PRI government is in charge at both the national/federal level and also in the state of Tamaulipas.
If anyone is riding through Tamaulipas and especially Tampico, why not try this? Write the following on a piece of paper:
Egidio Torre Cantu, Gobernador (52.834) 318.8000, 318.8700 (secretary) 24 hrs. Llamar cualquier día y a cualquier hora
And ask the police to please call the number or have their dispatcher call the number. Those are the numbers for the state governor, Cantu, and his office. Write them on a piece of paper like you know the guy. It's like a game of poker. They are trying to cheat you, but you have to be better at bluffing. It costs you nothing to try and will confuse the hell out of the cop. Most of the cops speak some English, the "Llamar cualquier día y a cualquier hora" is Spanish for "Call any day at anytime".

Historic Perspective
 

Perhaps understanding history enables one to understand the present.

Let us not forget.

In 1914, the United States secured American interests in Mexican oil, by sending the U S fleet to invade Tampico based on the fact the the Mexican President was not "playing ball" with U S oil companies.

"The situation between the U.S. and Huerta further worsened on April 9, when Mexican authorities mistakenly arrested eight U.S. sailors at Tampico, Mexico in what came to be known as the Tampico Affair. The commander of the Dolphin arranged for a pickup of oil from a warehouse near a tense defensive position at Iturbide Bridge. The defenders of the bridge anticipated an attack, based on the two consecutive days of skirmishes that had immediately preceded. Nine U.S. sailors on a whaleboat flying the U.S. flag were dispatched to the warehouse along a canal. Based on the sailors' account, seven of them moved the cans of fuel to the boat while two remained on the vessel. Mexican federal soldiers were alerted to the activity and confronted the American sailors. Neither side was able to speak the other's language, which left the sailors immobile in the face of commands from the soldiers. The Mexicans raised rifles against the Americans, including the sailors still on the boat, and ushered the men to the nearby Mexican regimental headquarters.

The commander of U.S. naval forces in the area, Rear Admiral Henry T. Mayo, demanded a 21-gun salute and formal apology from Huerta's government. General Huerta, the President of Mexico, ordered the release of the sailors within 24 hours and gave a written apology. However, he refused for Mexico to raise the U.S. flag on its soil to provide a 21-gun salute. As a result, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for permission for an armed invasion of the area. Although this request was granted two days later, the United States occupation of Veracruz had already begun."


The incident was used to topple the Mexican President and install a President who would "play ball" with U S oil interests... A ploy used time and time again by the U S throughout Latin America and the rest of the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tampico_Incident.jpg

Can anyone wonder why foreigners are "targeted" by Mexican police?

xfiltrate

Foreigners are targeted because they've got money and are highly susceptible to paying bribes--not because of historical or present colonialism. Swedes, Russians, Kiwis and others are targeted equally.

tit for tat
 

Can we also conclude that foreign countries - not only the United States but many other nations - have targeted Latin American countries cause they got resources (gold, silver,oil etc) and are highly susceptible to accepting bribes?

I have had many conversations with Mexicans, Peruvians, etc who have been taught that before being targeted by the United States, the Spanish did a fair amount of damage.

My 20th century example was not meant to exclude other foreigners:

especially this guy....

Born Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph; 6 July 1832 – 19 June 1867) was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire. He was a younger brother of the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I. After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he entered into a scheme with Napoleon III of France to rule Mexico. France had invaded Mexico in 1861, with the implicit support and approval of other European powers, as part of the War of the French Intervention. Seeking to legitimize French rule, Napoleon III invited Maximilian to establish a new Mexican monarchy. With the support of the French army and a group of conservative Mexican monarchists, Maximilian traveled to Mexico where he declared himself Emperor of Mexico on 10 April 1864.

Come on markharf, you can do better!

xfiltrate

Nope. I've said all I wish to say, which happens to encapsulate what I believe true. Have at it (within reason).

Got it!
 

The famous muralist , Diego Rivera , with his revolutionary/political themes
have shaped the point of view of most Mexicans. Diego Rivera was absolutely against imperialism and even capitalism, yet he is celebrated, even in the United States.

My point of view is that the Mexican, especially Mexican police are basically good and to do bad to others must be justified in their eyes and in the eyes of their God and fellow police..... this is true for all but the small percentage of real psychopaths.

So, the justification for some police goes something like this: These foreigners have stolen from me - from my country- therefore I am justified in stealing from them.

I have spoken with Mexican police extensively - I lived and worked in Mexico for three years, I know that Mexicans are in general very honest, God fearing good people who would rather help then hurt. Therefore, my opinion is that the justification for going bad is exactly as I have perhaps - inconclusively explained, but it is based on my own experiences of living in Mexico for three years.

xfiltrate

you're kidding, right? police in latin america demand bribes of everyone, including locals. this has nothing to do with colonialism or damage done by other countries. plain and simple, it is an abuse of power.

oh wait, you're from argentina? the home of some of the most corrupt cops around?

Selective history. Huerta was supported and encouraged by the US ambassador at the time to take out Madero. Obama was spying on the candidates during the last election. Things dont change.
Mex cops do not discriminate. They'll rip off their own mothers...if they had mothers to begin with.

Just my opinion
 

Now, I am wondering why I have never been "ripped off" by Mexican police or by Argentine police? Or, for that matter, I have not been ripped off by police even once during more than ten years in Latin America. the only place I have ever been bothered by police in in the United States? I wonder if it is because of the differences in our points of view?

xfiltrate

Hi
Your posts would have a great deal more credibility if you didn't randomly copy and paste whole chunks of stuff from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_I_of_Mexico

Please keep your utterances between the ditches (experiences you've had with Mexican law enforcement for example, like in your last post) or they'll be parked in the HU Bar.:nono:

Thanks.

PS. 12 years ago when I rode the length of Mexico I didn't get asked for anything, except once where one of the coppers asked if I could give him some engine oil.

If you've done nothing wrong, play the game: Distraction, bullsh!t, excessive politeness/compliments, talk about football etc., don't understand a word they say, get your phone out pretending to speak to your mate the Police chief in the next city/county.

If you are going to insult them, be very sure that they don't understand your language :innocent: Post #5 at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...et-place-66414

Xfiltrate, no, probably it is simply a case of good luck. Tampico is a very well known hot spot for transito municipal cops being extremely corrupt.

Chris, the ride away worked for me once here in Mexico. Except I went directly to the transito office and demanded to see the chief. He couldnt believe I simply left the transito, listened to me rant and rave in Spanish, then told me just to go away because it was almost lunch time. LOL!

Hate , Greed and Cruelty
 

I sincerely hope there is more to this thread than hate, greed and cruelty.

Chris, I take your point about not applying Wiki to this thread, even if it validates the fact that Veracruz - actually from the days of Cortez has been the access to Mexico by foreign colonialists..... What I don't get is that you censor my Wiki documentation and yet another contributor, whom I will quote exactly below claims that:

" Things dont change. Mex cops do not discriminate. They'll rip off their own mothers...if they had mothers to begin with."

and, apparently, this passes muster with you.

I am confused and I pray that here, not only on this thread but throughout Horizons Unlimited we all can help each other get beyond hate, greed and cruelty.

FYI, I have actually spoken to Mexican police - although it was many years ago, and I asked about police corruption - and the consensus was that the Mexican police engaging in corruption believe that everyone is ripping everyone else off, and this is how they justify their own corruption. This would include foreigners, locals and perhaps their own families - only this I doubt.

It is not a stretch to fit "Imperial Colonialism" by foreigners into the why of police corruption in Tampico - which has been after all the doorway for foreign intervention since the 1500s . I might not have even forwarded my ideas had the issue not been localized in Tampico.

No Wiki here, just my own historic interpretation of current events regarding police corruption in Tampico.

I wish you all would take the time to search out Diego Riveras Murals, these murals are relevant to this conversation.

xfiltrate

Tampico is not in Veracruz, it's in Tamaulipas. Veracruz and Boca del Rio are also as famous for corrupt cops, both transitos and otherwise, hence why we've had the military handling the policing for the past few years. It is slowly changing back.

I recently retired from the UK Police and I struggle to conjure up any reason to conduct, or engage in criminal activities (soliciting bribes etc) when I have sworn on my bible to upkeep the laws of my country.

As for thinking that everyone else does it, and using historical reasons to justify your actions, that is complete crap.

The money just goes into the corrupt cops pocket. It's criminal corruption, abuse of power and for personal gain. That's the end of it.

BTW: I have just exited Mexico having been riding around it for 3 weeks. Not a single problem.

Ray, I think you would probably agree that the low pay, the high risk, and the lack of training are all contributing factors to police corruption in Mexico.
Awhile back, before the entire Veracruz/Boca del Rio police force and corresponding secretaries and low level bureaucrats were all summoned and fired from their positions, the average education level of what had been called "policing staff" was no higher than 8th grade. With the narcos controlling them and calling the shots, these people faced the infamous "plata o plomo" (silver or lead) question. Would they take the money or die for their ideals? That is the extreme scenario.
But what is at work in Tampico and always has been, is a simple municipal mafia where the cops have quotas and pay it up the line of command and some of the money reaches pretty far. Some of the bribes are also used for financing political campaigns. A few hundred pesos from every cop on every shift on every day of the year sure adds up fast.
Often times the cops will threaten foreigners who have no idea of their rights in Mexico. Now, the cynical amongst us will say that nobody has any rights in Mexico but there are certain rights guaranteed by federal law that will trump state law.
So what are these rights?
A friend of mine used to work for the Mexican PGR which is the equivalent of the "Mexican FBI". He quit, but before he left he had cards designed and printed for handing out to citizens of Mexico and visiting foreigners so they had a basic understanding of their rights. See below. You will need to read Spanish, but you can easily get the idea of each entry with just basic Spanish language skills. I am posting these as a simple service to riders, I keep my original card in my wallet at all times. Along with his personal phone number LOL! Foreigners are subjected to other specific laws that govern what they can and can't do in Mexico but everyone within the borders of the country have certain undeniable rights. Knowing these can keep you from being threatened and the victim of extortion attempts.
I am not a lawyer, just someone who rides here and I truly hate corrupt cops and politicians. If anyone wants to start a discussion of what the rights basically guarantee and their significance, let's do it.

Mexican consular and embassy officials are generally willing to answer questions, I have found them helpful. You can always print a copy of the card scans and have them interpret them for you if you politely ask them to in your home country. You might make a new friend, and you can mention the problems that other travelers have in Tampico.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/...psc77ba212.jpg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/...psb2f1b216.jpg

I can't vouch for if the phone numbers still work, but the webpage should be up and running and the 1 800 number is for reporting a "denuncia" which certainly covers a cop trying to extort money from you.

If you are going to lay this on a cop in Tampico, be sure of your position. If you have, indeed, broken the law, then face the music and pay the fine not the bribe as it likely will be lower, much lower than what the cop wants. He is banking on you being afraid of him and his threat to detain you and the bike. If you are wrong, admit it, and go from there.
However, if you are not wrong and you are being the victim of extortion, understand what they can and cannot do by way of detaining you, and if they do detain you, the protocol they must follow. Again, they are hoping you have seen too many old movies with bandidos and other BS.
Timing is also important, lunch is usually between 2 and 4pm, there are day and afternoon shifts, there will be an ebb and flow to the presence of Tampico transitos. Frankly, the city is boring and not worth a second look, the new port is way outside of town, not taking the toll road around the city (the bypass is half price for bikes like 99.9% of all toll roads now in Mexico) can lead to problems. Recognize where cops like to hide, near traffic lights, blind corners, etc... blend in and go with the flow. Don't be afraid to let a bus or truck "block for you" by obscuring you from view of cops parked at the roadside, etc...
Hope some of this helps someone, someday, somewhere, and sometime.bier