| The Police in Panama are a proud crew. They | | | | on the most innocent look of surprise that I |
| come in different forms - on bike, | | | | could muster. Seeing as how I and my |
| motorcycle, car, or the walking tourist | | | | Colombian friend were new to the country, the |
| police that can be found throughout Casco | | | | old "but I don't understand?" pouty-faced |
| Viejo and choice areas of the city. The | | | | move could have saved the day, but we were |
| motorcycle cops ride in pairs, with the man | | | | accompanied by our Panamanian friend who |
| in back dangerously wielding a machine gun on | | | | might have been in a lot more trouble In the |
| his shoulder, with full army fatigues and a | | | | end, I pulled out a copy of my passport, the |
| little side beret. So far I have only had two | | | | Colombian had her national ID, and our |
| run-ins with the cops here. But my | | | | Panamanian friend had her drivers' license. |
| blond-haired gringa friends have a couple | | | | We told the cop with honest faces that we had |
| more stories that I will share with you. It | | | | just come from a bar, but were not in fact |
| seems that after being here for a while, when | | | | drinking outside. Kinder than their faces |
| you see a cop, rather than fearing legal | | | | suggested, they got back in their vehicle and |
| problems, you reach for your wallet. Traffic | | | | drove away without trying to squeeze any |
| problems or failure to produce a passport can | | | | dinero out of us. While other friends' |
| all be amended with a magical waive of $10. | | | | stories usually end in some form of payment, |
| This may sound corrupt to you, but if you | | | | overall the cops here are good guys. The |
| think about the salaries the officers are | | | | region of Casco Viejo actually has its own |
| paid, and the trouble they are saving you | | | | police force with the goal of protecting |
| when you are actually breaking the law, it is | | | | tourists. They all speak English and will |
| forgivable. The first time cops approached me | | | | guide you to and from your destinations if |
| and two other female friends was for drinking | | | | they should happen to be off-the-beaten-path. |
| outside at the Balboa Park along the sea wall | | | | Uniforms amongst the ranks are varied, and |
| around 11p.m. Luckily, I was the only one | | | | often resemble military ware, perhaps |
| dawdling away with my beverage, and took the | | | | leftovers from the once standing army. All in |
| last sip just as the cop car pulled up. I | | | | all, if you aren't here to break any serious |
| refilled my glass with regular coke and put | | | | laws, they should not be feared. |