Police Harassment in Cancun

Old Feb 13th, 2017, 10:48 AM
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Police Harassment in Cancun

On the afternoon of January 28,2017 we picked up our rental car and drove into Cancun to purchase some blouses for my wife. This was our third trip to the region in 3 years. Going East on Highway 307 I noticed 3 cars whose drivers appeared to be tourists being stopped by motorcycle police. After shopping at Plaza Las Americas we drove back toward the Cuota road. I was stopped by a motorcycle policeman. At first he said I was driving too slow and then changed his claim by saying I was going too fast, 40 in a 60 KM/hr zone. I was actually going the correct speed limit, according to the map I’d been given. He told me we would have to go the police station with him and pay $2500 pesos. When I agreed to follow him he said I could save $500 pesos by paying him directly. He also said that I could pay him in American dollars $75. He asked for my license. Next he opened his ticket box and showed me 3 licenses that he said he had confiscated that morning. He did not write a ticket and did not appear to notify anyone with his radio as to what he was doing. I talked to him about lowering the fine but he insisted on $2000 pesos. He returned my license but began to appear more agitated and threatening in his voice. He demanded money or go to the station. I had read and heard stories of inflated charges, long waiting times and planted “evidence”. and figured I better pay the extortion fee. I held $1000 and said nothing. He grumbled a little and finally said “OK, obey the signs!” as he took the money. I suspect it went directly into his pocket and his employer got nothing. As we drove away we saw 3 more tourists being pulled over by motorcycle police.

I had previously read travel information saying how Cancun police were aware of the importance of tourism to the local economy and that they did not harass tourists. From my own experience and from reading of recent posts, this no longer appears to be true. I would advise any tourist renting a car in Cancun to avoid driving into town. I’ve had no problems with police driving westward into the state of Yucatan or Southern Quintana Roo. Next visit we will consider flying into Merida instead of Cancun.
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Old Feb 13th, 2017, 10:50 AM
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Welcome to Fodor's forums!
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Old Feb 13th, 2017, 11:29 AM
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So you paid the mordida rather than follow the cop to the police station? Of course the 1000 pesos you used to bribe the cop went straight into his pocket. Next time, just insist on a ticket and going to the police station. If the cop is on the up-and-up and you have actually broken a traffic law, you'll go, pay your fine, and be on your way. If the cop is just looking for a bribe, he will let you off with a "warning" and look for someone else who is willing to help him line his pockets.
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Old Feb 13th, 2017, 12:27 PM
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With all due respect, november_moon, that's a bit glib. We have traveled in Mexico many times (never driving ourselves, though), and have heard that too often, going to the station can result in lengthy waits and actual charges being brought--as the OP says. We were told this by native Mexicans, more than once. Of course, they also say that sometimes going to the station, or saying you want to do so, can end the attempted extortion. And everyone agrees that simply paying the bribe sucks and probably encourages the practice, etc. My point is that it can be hard to know what to do. and the best course of action might also vary by region--surely it does--and just dumb luck.

The OP did the best s/he could, under the circumstances.
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Old Feb 13th, 2017, 12:32 PM
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That stinks, sorry it happened to you.
Hard to know what anyone would do under the circumstances.
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Old Feb 13th, 2017, 12:42 PM
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Why I never rent a car in Mexico.
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Old Feb 13th, 2017, 02:28 PM
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Some people choose to pay the bribe and others choose not to. The OP clearly resents paying the bribe, but appears to not to have realized that there was another viable option. I apologize if my response seemed glib - that was not my intention.

The police rely on fear to line their pockets - as the OP said, they were afraid to go to the police station. That fear really is unfounded - other than the potential for a long wait, there isn't a risk. And I think the stories of a long wait are overblown. Once you get to the police station, the police don't have any motivation to keep you there, cooling your heals while they process the ticket. They have nothing to gain from that.

As for it being hard to know what to do in a situation - knowledge is power. If you know what the cop wants and you know the routine, then you can avoid further hassle.

Cancun police are famous for pulling over tourists though - and particularly for looking for people headed to the airport, knowing they will be short on time and not wanting to risk missing a flight.

Some people choose to pay a bribe and be done with it - again, knowledge is power. If you know you are going to pay a bribe, then negotiate down, pay, and be on your way. No need to be scared, wring your hands, or anything. Just do it. If you don't want to pay the bribe, then stand firm, knowing that you may end up spending time going to the station.

I've been to Mexico quite a few times also. And I've driven around a lot - in a rental car and in my own car. If you are going to drive, you have to know the rules of the road, including potential scams.
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Old Feb 13th, 2017, 06:28 PM
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It's never happened to me in Mx in my own car or in a rental but it does happen.
One thing that's a given is that police will get fired if caught doing this. Knowing this some people actually pull out their cell phones, take a photo of the cop and hit send. They then ask the officer what he wants. This deters many cops.

The going rate here in Yucatan, btw, is 200 mxp for gringos and 100 for locals.
I'm sorry that you got snagged.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 11:21 AM
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My US state driver's license now has taped to the back of it the address and phone number of the Sindicatura del Gobierno Municipal for several locations in Mexico, at the suggestion of a regular poster on one of the Mexico travel forums. The idea is that the crooked cop sees that info and understands that you know who to call if he gives you a hard time over a supposed traffic violation, and therefore desists. Haven't had to use it, so far, knock on wood, but sounds like a logical idea. The license is in a "travel" wallet along with very little money visible.
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Old Feb 15th, 2017, 05:33 AM
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I am like November. Either I pay the bribe slick it that is it or I stand firm.

Paying and being mad is incoherent.

This being said the Mexican policemen I met were over friendly. They actually shook my hand when I thanked them after I asked directions.

So I suppose some Mexicans need money. Maybe they have a wall to build.
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