Standing firm despite intimidation to ‘give’

I WAS recently pulled over for driving while using my mobile phone. I was indeed guilty although I did use the microphone. I was not upset at being stopped. In fact, I asked the officer to just write the summons and give it to me.

I have been stopped a couple of times before for using the mobile phone while driving and once for not wearing the seat belt.

I have never given money to any police officer as I do not want to encourage bribery. The problem, as my experiences so far have shown, is the officers expect me to give so that I would be let off the hook.

Every encounter with them has proven to me that the only reason I was pulled over was not because they wanted to make me learn to drive safely but to get some money out of me.

This time was no different. I had with me my Indonesian helper (H1), another Filipino helper (H2) and a friend’s Filipino helper (H3). I was bringing all of them back from church in my car.

Following is the gist of the incident.

Officer 1: Your offence was driving and using your handphone.

Me: Yes, I know. Please write the ticket. (I’d already handed my driving licence to him.)

Officer 1: What about all these people?

H1: I have my card here. Officer: The others?

Me: It’s with the agency as they are new. I can go to the agency to get the cards for you.

Officer 1: They should have all their identification documents with them.

Me: I am the one who is in the wrong. Could you please give me my ticket?

Officer 1: You mean I cannot ask for it?

Me: Of course you can. I can even go to the police station with you.

Officer 1 did not know what to do next so he walked away and left us waiting for a full two minutes. Then Officer 2 approached and asked me what was the problem. I was a bit agitated by then as it seemed this would take some time.

Me: The other officer said the offence was talking on the mobile phone so please give me the ticket for that.

Officer 2: Give me the identification of the others.

H1: Here.

Me: (Explaining for H2 and H3). I am the one who did something wrong, so please write the summons.

Officer 2: You are such a big shot, I cannot ask them? So you mean there are robbers and killers, we cannot ask? You orang besar?

Me: I am the one and this is about talking on the mobile phone. If you want, we can all go to the police station for this. Please write the summons. (I did sound irritated.)

Officer 2 looked at my car number, road tax and slowly printed the summons. While handing it to me with my identity card, he said: “Tolong jaga kamu punya budi bahasa sikit (Please mind your manners).” I replied with annoyance, “Sama-sama! (Same to you)” and drove off.

During the conversation, I could sense that Officer 2 wanted to instil fear to make us to do what they expected so that we could be free of the situation. I have heard of other people going through similar experiences.

Isn’t it the duty of the police to catch those who have broken the law and to tell the public that they cannot flout the law? Surely it is not to intimidate people to induce fear which leads to corrupt practices, that is, bribing to be free of an offence or crime?

The other time I was pulled over for using the mobile phone, the officer, after waiting for about seven minutes, finally said, “It’s very troublesome to have to go and pay your fine. Why don’t you just give me some money?” As usual, I said, “Just give me the summons.”

I wanted to take a picture of Officer 2 but decided not to. I could have nailed him very easily by giving the bribe and then reporting him.

Of course, not all police officers are corrupt but the ones I have met seem to be so. What can we do to restore faith and respect for our police?