Dealing with the Police

Submitted by fyl on 28 August, 2008 - 18:11.

There have been lots of storied about dealing with Transito, the transit police, that generally translate to what is the right size for a bribe. All the stories that I remember dealing with the regular police seem to get down to them being underfunded, understaffed, ... For example, it is quite common for someone to say they police asked them for gasoline or gas money to come deal with a crime.

That said, is there anything else that could be called a "police experience" here—good or bad?

"BEATING WOMEN IS A WAY OF LIFE HERE" ›
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2 out of 3 decent experiences

Submitted by katica500 on 29 August, 2008 - 00:56.

In one car rental experience I was stopped two times in Managua very recently. Technically, I was in the wrong when they stopped me. I was calm and polite and willing to correct the problems the best I could. Each officer told me it was my lucky day and let me go. No bribes needed or even wanted! I was impressed!!!

A few weeks before that I was with a donor in his rental car near Leon. Well, we were stopped for no reason and while I talked our way out, they told me they had no gas. I politely asked if they were out and if they needed a ride. No...they were just almost out. We did not give any money and they let us go.

Kathy Adams Director/Founder Empowerment International www.empowermentinternational.org

so far

Submitted by Billy Bob on 29 August, 2008 - 09:18.

my ex perience with transito has been positive. I{ve been stopped at roadblocks for 11 months running for not having plates, and they have always been polite and businesslike. I explain that i have temporary registration, they look at my papers, and I{m on my way.

However, I have chosen not to drive out of the Esteli area without plates because I don{t exxpect the same courtesy elsewhere, especially in Managua.

And then the miracle came the other day. I dropped my wife off at transito to get yet another 2 week extention on my circulacion provisional, and they said they would accept my receipt for Immigration documents from Intur as sufficient proof of residency to issue my plates. Just 2 grand tours of downtown Esteli, 100 cords, and 4 hours later I had plates!!! For the first time I could drive down the streets and not feel like a criminal or deadbeat.

¨Nicaragua is poor for a reason¨