DR Police Force...Friend or Foe???

[laurapasinifan]

its true there is little chance anything abnormal will happen. In the past tourists were off limits in the beach towns for criminals usually. the cops let that be known. from what I have read about that isnt as much the case any more, but the % are super small. And they just want the easy"ok heres 100 pesos"

if they dont get it , they let it go.

besides only the bad things get publicity..all the nice people , the helpfull people, the good cops, they dont make good STORIES!!! ha ha ha

have fun

bob

[Celt202]

Originally Posted by CJnNJ

..... here's a heads up to those arriving in Las Americas airport: two friends on separate occasions, within the last week, were approached by a pair of police in the outside parking lot as they were heading towards the car. On each occasion they were asked for a "little donation" by the pair. Neither gave them money. Fortunately, they were in the company of an expat who knows the routine, ignored them, got in the car and left.
CJ

I was followed once by two policemen in the parking lot at Las Americas after collecting a friend in the arrival area during daylight hours.

When I got to my car I smiled at them asked them how they were and approached them to chat. They told me they were keeping an eye out because there had been robberies in the parking lot. I thanked them and they never asked for anything.

I live in the DR and am confident with my Spanish.

Maybe those two would ask for a tip from a tourist or someone who is obviously nervous in their presence.

If you don't speak Spanish smile and if police are asking for a tip tell them "No Speek Espany My Luv." I'll bet it defuses the situation and gets a laugh.

[Beads]

I have to say I have never had a problem with ANY police in the DR. In fact everyone from the Politur to the local Police has always been very nice and friendly. The only place I have ever been asked for a propina in the DR is in the airport on the way out by the carry on screener in POP.

[aross]

Whether this should be here of in the Clown Forum, not too sure, but could be both.

So back in 1994 my wife was getting gas at the Texaco station in Sosua and they motioned her to a "special" pump. Before she could stop them they were filling it up but she noticed thay had "forgotten" to put the meter back to zero (turns out 4 to 5 motoconchos had filled up before her). Being the stubborn person she is she complained and refused to pay the full amount. They took her gas cap and would not give it back to her. So she sauntered over to the police station and ended up with the Chief of Police. He accompnied her back to the station (in his Gucci shoes and Rolex), and suggested to her she just pay it as they needed the money. Long story short - she and the Chief ended up splitting the extra charges. They were all smiles after that and the Chief instead of asking for a personal "donation" for himself asked for a date that afternoon and they could go to the beach. She said no as she was married and he said no problem, so was he. Anyway, dispite not giving him a tip, he became a Friend and not a Foe and for a long time after this he always yelled out at her as she drove by asking for that date.

We have not been back to the DR much over the last 4 years so I am not sure if the same Chief is still there but if he is, I am sure he is still waiting for the date.

[blueyegal]

Originally Posted by korejdk

Back to DR...I find them decent altough all of them say " we don't have much gasolina " which is a subtle way to ask for propina...on my last trip to JD I got lost and there were 4 capitanos on the road - I kindly asked for directions but even my novia could get what they were saying...then one promptly offered to jump in and direct us...paid him 500 ( less than 1 mile travel ) and he wasn't happy...told him, jefe perdon mi novia control nostro dinero then he smiled and off he went

I second the "no gasoline" line... they won't come when needed unless you pay for the gasoline! And when they pull you over, the most common 'hint' for a bribe is that they haven't eaten yet and they're really hungry. They seem like nice guys (not menacing), but absolutely taking advantage of their position.

making a mental note of that GF tip, that's great! Might save us money, but don't know if mr. macho would say it aloud to someone ROFLMAO!

B

[Frog17112]

Thanks...your insight has been very informative. Looking forward to my trip and "playing the game" that you all seem to be well acquainted with...