Costa Rica still has bribe-seeking traffic cops

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A story that appears in this week's Tico Times about U.S. tourist Dave Seigwald being shaken down for a bribe by a traffic cop reminds me of an incident about ten years ago.

I was driving on a main road near Alajuela when I saw a cop car ahead, pulled off to the side of the road. I was traveling about 60 kph and slowing as I approached a 40 kph zone, marked by a large sign beside the highway. The cop was standing on the other side of the sign. No problem, I thought.

As I approached the sign he raised his radar gun, then beckoned me to pull over.

Needless to say, he accused me of speeding. "But I was still in the 60 kph zone," I replied.

"No, you were speeding," he said, showing me my speed—47 kph–-on his radar gun.

"But I was still in the 60 kph zone," I repeated.

We danced a duet as he attempted to shake me down for a bribe in that infuriatingly subtle way that corrupt cops hint with obtuse language. I don't pay bribes. And I wasn't about to begin.

That time, I was lucky. He didn't ticket me. But he didn't get my money.

I haven't been pulled over since in Costa Rica. In fact, the tránsitos (traffic cops) are much more professional than in prior years. They look more professional. They act more professional.

But as the Tico Times' story about Siegwald's experience demonstrates, corrupt cops still exist.

The more pertinent tale is that Siegwald, a former criminal investigator, didn't pay the cop either. Instead, he took down his name and badge number and reported the corrupt tránsito to the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ), Costa Rica's equivalent of the FBI.

Sure, it can be a pain in the ass. You don't just report a crooked cop and walk away. But if you believe in principle, as I and Siegwald do, then doing the right thing can help put an end to cops who do the wrong thing.

“They were very professional, spoke English and moved things quickly,” reports Siegwald, of his experience with OIJ.

As I blogged on March 1, 2010 ("New Traffic Rules in Effect for Costa Rica"), the traffic police are getting serious about enforcing new traffic regulations. And the police oversight body is getting serious about eradicating crooked tránsitos.

If a traffic cop attempts to solicit a bribe, authorities advise victims to take down the policeman's name and badge number and call 800-800-0645 or visit the closest OIJ office to file a complaint.

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Disclosure: I occasionally accept free or discounted travel when it coincides with my editorial goals. However, my opinion is never for sale. The opinions you see in Cuba & Costa Rica Journal are my unbiased reflection of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Copyright © Christopher P. Baker