[joehoya]

(02-17-2012 11:37 AM)TudoBem Wrote:  

First things first, you should always have a sticker on your car supporting your local state troopers and/or police union.

You should also contribute towards or volunteer on the local police commission.

I know you mean well, but FUCK THAT. I'm not spending my money to pay off some police organization so that they will be nice to me. This isn't Guatemala. We have rights. More importantly, if we have KNOWLEDGE of our rights and exercise them appropriately this country is actually pretty good at providing legal recourse when those rights are violated.

I've NEVER consented to a search, EVER. I learned that from my attorney and law enforcement relatives. Have I gotten the occasional ticket? Yeah, but in those cases I WAS ACTUALLY GUILTY OF WHAT I WAS TICKETED FOR.

I have no problem paying a ticket when I actually did something wrong, but I am not going to be some cop's bitch by:
a) waiving my rights through answering questions or consenting to searches
b) paying of some police organization

(02-17-2012 11:37 AM)TudoBem Wrote:  

This is especially important when crossing borders in Latin America.

Having been in several Latin American countries (and paid off a few cops), this is true. BUT this is not Latin America. FURTHERMORE, I only pay off cops in Latin America when:
a) I want them to do something beyond their duties (e.g. throw some girl out of my apartment, watch my back at the ATM),
b) I actually did something wrong and would rather pay this guy off than deal with the legal system.

HOWEVER, I have been in situations where Latin American cops have tried to intimidate me into giving them a bribe when I have done nothing wrong. In those cases I will usually just stand my ground (especially if I know the country).

For example, it is reasonably common expat knowledge that cops in Costa Rica go out on Sundays to troll for tourist who either do not have a copy of their passport with them or have expired visas. If you get caught, expect to pay anywhere from $40 to whatever they can get out of you.

I've been stopped by cops doing a passport shakedown on more than one occasion. Usually, when they have seen a copy of my passport that I carry with me they let me go. However, there have been a few times when they tried some bullshit with me by saying copies were not sufficient, that I needed my ACTUAL passport. In EVERY case I have stood my ground and told them that I KNEW copies were acceptable. When they push the subject, I just extend my hands and tell them to go ahead and arrest me for it. You know what happens? They back down LIKE BITCHES every single time.

(02-17-2012 11:37 AM)TudoBem Wrote:  

In no way does this reflect my personal feeling towards an officer, it is merely the most practical and efficient way for me to get through a particular situation and on to whatever I actually wanted to do that day.

Completely understood, but I am hard headed . I would rather be inconvenienced then have my rights trampled on. Now, if I was driving drunk, or carrying drugs in my car, I would not be nearly as self-righteous as I am. I would be looking to pay off the first cop who asked. Then again, I don't do any of those things, so I don't concern myself with it.