Corruption in Peru: The Police at Christmastime
This is how it often works in Huancayo — the police can basically do whatever they want. I had heard about police officers stopping cars in the street and taking bribes, but this was the first time I had seen police officers outright stealing.
Earlier this month, under the facade of dealing with illegal vendors and storekeepers, police officers slowly drove through the marketplace, throwing random goods into their truck. “You can pick these up at the police station!” they yelled out to the supposed perpetrators. But how would the market people be able to claim 3 mandarin oranges or 2 wallets?
When a lady tried to get onto the truck to count how many socks the police officers had seized, she was quickly thrown off the vehicle. Another lady was bawling in the street after the police officers had grabbed her entire garbage-bag-sized case and thrown it onto the truck. The case was filled with socks, all of her merchandise. This happened to another elderly gentleman and his large bag of yucas.
In the video, a man followed the truck, complaining, but received a kick in the stomach as a response. Violence was even used against the elderly and children who were trying to help their parents by holding down an officer or attempting to get their goods back. It was a message to the many others who were asking for a better explanation. And the only explanation was that these people were suspected to be selling illegally, which may not have even been the case at all if no time was taken to look into each retailer.
If this was conveniently planned around Christmastime as suspected, it would also explain another rumor about corruption in Peru — that transit police bribe more people in the month of December. “Todos están buscando plata en este tiempo,” [“Everyone’s looking for money at this time of year”] commented one man from the market.
It was an important reminder to me that I want Christmas to continue to have much less to do with the material things and much more to do with the people I spend it with.
Nikki {AsianBlackCo}
This is such a sad reminder that the focus for the holidays are on the wrong things. Being kind to people is what it should be about. I feel for the people who have been affected by these corrupt policeman.
Samantha Bangayan
I love that, Nikki! “Being kind to others” — if only we could remember that any time we react with others and especially at Christmastime with the high-energy blend of stress and excitement! Thanks for dropping by! =)
Linda Esposito
That is so sad. It’s amazing to think about just how corrupt some governments are, and just how heartless. Sadly, the poor across the world are especially vulnerable to police corruption…Taking socks and mandarins–whoa.
Over here in Southern Cali we’ve been inundated with news and radio coverage of banks, especially Bank of America, foreclosing on properties right before Christmas. I understand that an agreement b/w home owners and banking institutions has been breached, but couldn’t you wait to seize the property until after January 1st?
To assert your power in order to purposely disrupt a person’s holidays is indeed, corrupt :(.
Thank you for posting this. It’s so easy to think of Christmastime in a favorable light that we often forget that others have a different reality.
Prayers and well wishes to you and all the Huancas, Samantha. Stay strong!
Samantha Bangayan
It’s scary what power can do, how power can corrupt! That is SUPER sad about those foreclosures. That’s thousands and thousands of dollars more than the scenario at the marketplace. I wonder if it’s *their* Christmas money!
Thanks for being able to relate and noting that this can happen to us right here at home! Hope you had a fabulous Christmas, Linda! =)
Vinny T
Corruption among government officials is pretty much a way of life that I have personally experienced many times while in Peru. It also has been discussed in many sociological and political studies of that country. Yet, it almost always takes place behind the scenes away from public view. It’s, indeed, sad that the police in Huancayo are so bold that they so openly display their bad behavior. I hope that you have not personally experienced excesses like those that you note in your blog entry and that your life while in Huancayo has been a safe and sound one.
Samantha Bangayan
That was my impression too, Vinny! I had always heard of more secretive cases of corruption, so I was surprised to see this video that Roy sent me. Apparently, one of the policemen was pointing at him for filming and he was worried that they were going to confiscate his camera. Thankfully, I’ve been lucky during my time in Huancayo. =)
Kelly
A sobering look into one of the unfortunate realities of life in much of Latin America. I hope those who lost their property were able to make up their losses. Wishing you a safe, happy, healthy New Year with those you love!
Samantha Bangayan
Me too, Kelly! I hope that those products weren’t the only products they were depending on.
Wishing you an amazing new year filled with love and laughter!! =)
Penelope J
Sounds horrible! Corrupt police is an understatement. They’re using bully tactics to steal other people’s property – things like socks and mandarin oranges. Unforgivable. If these are the supposed authorities, I dread to think what else goes on under the policemen guise. For once, I don’t have an equivalent story about Mexico. I know the police there are corrupt and exact a “mordida” from vendors, but I haven’t heard of this kind of vandalism cum theft.
Samantha Bangayan
Bullying! That’s the word! And that’s truly the freakiest part — that we’re supposed to be able to trust them since they’re “government authorities.” No wonder there’s such a trust issue. Funnily enough, a week later, Roy saw similar policemen running around the marketplace trying to help an elderly man who had fainted. They even rode with him in the taxi to the nearest clinic. Talk about opposite treatment.
Carla
Wow! It’s so saddening to hear of these sorts of things happening around ANY time of the year. I really can’t imagine living in a place where the police really feel they can do whatever they want to whomever they want.
Samantha Bangayan
Great to meet you, Carla! I know, eh! It makes you wonder who you can trust. =S
Hajra
I have blogged about bad police forces just now! India witnessed a gang rape incident wherein the victim committed suicide because the police pressured her into marrying one of her attackers!
I pity the countries where the justice system is totally messed up. Walking out with the belief that one will be safe and one will have justice delivered if and when something goes wrong, is so important. I hope many more of us can experience the joy of being totally safe and free from such evils.
Samantha Bangayan
Omigoodness! Talk about intrusiveness, drama, and trauma! Heading over there to read about this now.
I share the very same hope as you, Hajra. Well said and thanks for sharing this!
Bonnie Copeland
Having the people who you are supposed to be able to trust be the ones who are doing the hurting has got to be terrifying. A lack of security and trust in day to day life is terribly damaging to the soul and spirit.
We need good people like you Samantha, and Hajra to share what is happening and for other good people to stand up (despite the fear) and say no more.
Well done my friend.
Samantha Bangayan
Exactly so, Bonnie! Reading Hajra’s post had me thinking of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. How can we even work on our spirits if we don’t have a basic need like safety? Thanks for your thoughts, friend!
Peggy Lee Hanson
I’m having a respect issue these days–where has it gone? Granted, dirty cops have been around since the beginning of time, in my opinion, right along with the thieves, rapists, and other dishonorables. But it seems to be more out in the open, such as this video shows. There is a huge lack of respect for others, and that seems OK because it’s “just politics.” No! It isn’t! Respect begins at the top for the top! Freedom of speech has soured from the original intent, at least I feel in these United States.
Stepping off the soapbox now. Stay safe Samantha!!
Samantha Bangayan
I love that — “respect begins at the top for the top!” =) Who knows? Maybe the Internet helps us reveal these “dishonorables” more easily, whereas before, all the bad stuff could be swept under the rug. In any case, I hope all these tidbits help make us more conscious and more willing to help each other.
Thanks, PeggyLee! Hope you have an amazing new year! =)
Carrie
This really doesn’t surprise me.. Policemen and women are normal people too. I mean their job duty is to protect us, but they can make mistakes too. Hopefully my family nor myself will never be in need when a copy decides to make a wrong decision!
My fiancee and I watch Police Women of Dallas, Florida, Arizona, etc and it just seems like cops wait around for something to happen. I mean sometimes I feel bad because they pick on certain people with no reason to do so. Like, this one guy was limping down the street and I guess the cop that he was drunk so they pulled him over.. He did have a warrant and they ended up taking him to jail. But geez! What if his leg was hurt and he had a limp due to that? -_-
Have a wonderful New Year! =)
Samantha Bangayan
I love the understanding that comes through in your comment, Carrie. You’re right that we all make mistakes and these could very well be awesome people in the future who look back and say, “Boy, do I regret making that decision in the past to steal from those marketplace vendors.” Who knows!
Your story about the limping guy makes me wonder how even stereotypes can play a role in getting arrested or being bothered by police. It’s so unfortunate that you may be more likely to be picked on just because of you naturally look or act. =S
In any case, thanks for opening my eyes to all of this, Carrie! I hope your new year is equally wonderful!! =)
Kimeh
Wow, if you’re going to do that might at least remove your clothing of authority! Gah.
Samantha Bangayan
Haha! Silly policemen.
MuMuGB
I had never seen anything like this before. This is simply a disgrace! I know that we all make mistakes but they clearly think that they are above the law. They should be judged just like a thief would be.
Samantha Bangayan
That’s exactly what I thought! Thieves indeed!
Joy
Again I’m ashamed to admit this but such things used to happen in Manila. I wrote ‘used to’ because it’s been years since I’ve been back home and frankly don’t know if this continues to happen during raids.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday, Sam! Have a meaningful New Year ahead!
Samantha Bangayan
Eek! I suspected as such! My parents don’t remember seeing anything blatant, but maybe it just depends on the area.
Happy happy new year to you too, Joy!! =)