BajaNomad

Former military change the face of Rosarito police

fulano - 6-28-2008 at 10:47 AM

Quote:
The face of the Police in Rosarito has changed. Now the cops on the streets are rugged-looking former military with a rigid style; all this the result of the changes that Mayor Hugo Torres wants to give to the battered image of the police force.

This town has most strongly felt the militarization of the police, as in recent months 55 former members of the Armed Forces have joined, mainly in middle and senior managerment positions.

But the militarization of Rosarito has not reduced this town's crime rates in the first four months of 2008 compared to same period last year.

Virtually all crimes rose, including so-called "high impact" crimes.

'Hard numbers'
217 policemen on the Rosarito police force
150 of them are in the streets
50 policemen have resigned in past 5 months
55 ex-soldiers joined the police force
18 civil police


...my translation of this:
http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/28062...

DENNIS - 6-28-2008 at 12:58 PM

Strange. One would think that after they'd done a tour of duty, they'd want to go home. Rosarito must offer lots of incentives, kinda like, Would you rather go duck hunting on the Colorado River or Death valley?

Used to be that inscripted soldiers were shipped as far away from home as possible to perform their duty. Small indigenous types are what we saw in Ensenada. They did that because the soldiers, if in the vicinity of their homes, would just leave. Go home and not return. Their family meant much more to them than their so called military obligation. Maybe it's different now.

Woooosh - 6-28-2008 at 03:50 PM

These guys are stiff as a board and don't really know how to interact with gringo homeowners.

This morning at 5am two cars (8 guys) of after-hours partiers parked in front of my house, opened their car doors and blared Led Zepplin while they drank beer. It woke me up (and everyone else I'm sure), but it was trash day anyway and the dogs wanted to go out. I walked out with the dogs and sang along real loud to one parts and they all went nuts (well it was musice I grew up with). They offerred me a beer, but I said I was just starting a pot of coffee. They asked if the music was too loud (obviously) but I said "no, you just need better speakers" They laughed and laughed. When I came back with the dogs the police had arrived. They frisked the guys, serched the cars and checked ID's right in front of me- but wouldn't make eye contact with me or even say hello. Then again the Tourist Police don't interact either and many don't speak any english. Maybe this stand-offish approach to gringos is what they were trained to do? Not sure...