Police Corruption in Kyrgyzstan

[Road Hog]

There were some posts about the corruption in Kyrgyzstan and I wanted to expand on that a bit with some advice on how to keep from paying. It has been a month or more but I am sure they are still up to their game.

The standard ploy is to set up a speed camera on a nice piece of road with a corner to hide behind. There may or may not be a "60" sign, or it may be obscured with brush. Once they pull you over they want your documents and then tell you they have to keep them and send them to the address on the documents. So what are you going to do, they have your drivers license and bike papers. Most pay them off and grumble on to the next trap.
I was unprepared on the first stop which is why I wanted to write this with my solution. First have a supply of fake documents. I always carry a couple of real nice copies of my drivers license and I have one old one that I was able to keep when I renewed. Does not matter if they are perfect because they do not know that they should look like. Then have copies of your bike papers that look as real as possible. If they want your passport, tell them it is at the hotel and hand them a copy. Give them nothing you can not do without. Then you just keep telling them to go ahead and write the ticket, keep the documents. Take pictures of them and any paperwork they show you. Three times I was stopped after the first, (I was riding with care, looking for speed signs), three times they gave up and gave me back my papers, no ticket.

You just need to be prepared with a plan. Then stick to it.

If others have ways to get through Kyrgyzstan without paying the police off lets post them here so others can take what they think will work for them.



The trick of fake documents I learned before riding Peru, it you go there take lots of drivers licenses. Each set of corrupt police have a different scam but they tend to be the same in the country.



Bob

[bernd s]

Originally Posted by Road Hog

Does not matter if they are perfect because they do not know that they should look like.
Bob

Drivers license copy never worked in Kazakhstan or Kirgizstan. 1st Question was always for the original one.

Nevertheless, we always managed to get out without paying. Refuse friendly and steady, play the tourist card, show you got all the time in the world and they are quickly annoyed and you leave with a friendly shake hand.

Regards
Bernd

[klausmong1]

Last year they f...ked us up and we really had to pay, i was so angry.
They were very aggressive and that was hard to get away.

This year we got to the same cops ( I really remembered them ) on the same place.
They showed us a radar picture and said we have done 75 instead of 60.
Which was not true and because I was sure that they would be here again somewhere I really watched out for the signs.
And 1km before I saw a policecop sitting beside the street and using his radio when he saw us, so I expected them tobe around somewhere

I refused to pay and give them papers right away, I started to shout "corrupt police" a few times so everyone around could hear that and told them I will call the konsulat right now.

I made pictures of them and the place and 1 minute later they really wanted me to leave fast.

[Lovetheworld]

Well they did not pull us over for speeding, but staying to close to the shore of Issuk Kul...
They walked away with documents, and then I knew I shouldnt have given them.
I was annoyed because they did not gave explanation (no english)
Then I went to the police car and picked my documents back from his writing tablet. There was a Russian guy who translated and so then we learned why. And we got of with a warning. Appareantly they didnt want to push it true too much. Not so aggressive as Klaus had them.

I would try to resist to give your documents in the first place. If it all takes a long time or a lot of effort, they may give up, but no guarantee.

[ZorroMoto]

Interesting to read from you guys.

My name is Dave and I am living in Osh since three years. I could tell you stories after stories here, but to make it short, just a few infos & advice.
Apparently most of the tourists don't know the law and there are some serious facts the police has power. For instance they are allowed to confiscate your vehicle if you don't have the original documents with you. Kyrgyzstan in not a customer friendly (from western few) nor law-state country and with its Communist background leaves some imprint on character and power forces like police and military. For instance: Beeing angry and shouting at police and pretending at its own rights never helps.

Here what I do after three years experience and in local language:

- First of all I always show that I have plenty of time, no stress. I talk a lot (but say not much) and be nice a friendly. I play the game as they do. After 10-15 minutes they realy want to come to a point. (those who go out a patience first lose control over the situation.)

- Then I always claim to get the announced fine instead of "quick payment". This forces the police to write a long report sheet and force them to do regulated payment options. (mostly they gave up on this and beg for a bribe money for them)

- I want to pay by card and therefore will have a receit. By law the police is forced to have this card payment machine when they are on traffic control. In the northern part usually on board, in the south never.

(If they really go for the serious documents and having a payment machine on board, then there is no way around.)

- Using a camera up front in my car as a dash board cam or at the helmet is a threat to police. (since then my car gets almost never stopped again.) They try to avoid it because of evidence. Even when they are on speed control they have three fix installed cameras in their cabin. Therefore can not do some bribe business in their cars any more. I agree doing pictures of everything meanwhile in process, even from the police mans, is a grate and helpful tool.

Alright, this was the short version. :-) Have a save trip and enjoy. There is also some fun negotiating with the police. As a little extra: if you can make them laugh, you escape faster and more happy.

Chears! Dave

[klausmong1]

But to be honest, with the police and the corruption for me Kirgistan is the most corrupt an unfriendly country in this area.

I also gut ****ed up by other Kirgis people like a female owner of a hotel at Toktogul.

So really Kirgistan for me is a pain in the ass and I really dont like this country.