Real naive question time, sorry ahead of time - are the police as corrupt as they're portrayed to be in western media? Bribes requested constantly, that sort of thing?
Short answer is yes.
Long answer is that it is that the level of corruption varies from place to place but the police susceptible to political influence everywhere. A daily interaction with the cops like a traffic stop can be similar to one in US , cop checks your documentation and issues a citation, or it can be “indian” one where he accuses you of a crime (that you have committed or not), gives a option of pay him x amount as bribe or paying a fine of 5x.
There are many honest policemen/women (as well as dishonest ones) but if you are pitted against someone well-connected politically or rich or (usually) both then chances are police is going to side with them and you will probably lose regardless of who is guilty. Unless something extraordinary happens,like you get showcased in the media.
It is not only police. The government machinery on the lowest level is inefficient and corrupt. You need to pay a bribe to get a power connection to your home, a drivers license etc. If you refuse to do so, you will be forced to spent your time in following up, complaining to superiors. It is doable to some extent but you will spent significant amount of your time and energy.
This is my experience in one of the better states in India, which makes me wonder about the rest of the country.
If you have done mistake and need to escape yes bribe is relevant or you want something to happen faster again yes otherwise mostly if you are not in hurry or did not do anything wrong mostly need not pay anything. SOme police may still ask you to buy him a coffee or 50 to 500 rupees depending on ur urgency and his tightness
There are many honest policemen/women (as well as dishonest ones) but if you are pitted against someone well-connected politically or rich or (usually) both then chances are police is going to side with them and you will probably lose regardless of who is guilty. Unless something extraordinary happens,like you get showcased in the media.
It is not only police. The government machinery on the lowest level is inefficient and corrupt. You need to pay a bribe to get a power connection to your home, a drivers license etc. If you refuse to do so, you will be forced to spent your time in following up, complaining to superiors. It is doable to some extent but you will spent significant amount of your time and energy.
This is my experience in one of the better states in India, which makes me wonder about the rest of the country.