How things can come full circle at times. Only recently did I write about the Bolivian police here, and how their services are readily available the way groceries are at the local Ketal supermarket here.
It has been well documented how unsatisfied the work force is in this country. Now throwing their hats – and the occasional helmets – into the ring are none other than the policemen, and people are actually debating as to whether that's a good thing or not, whether our streets might actually be safer and whether people can go about their business without dealing with cops who may or may not be ethically sound. Either way, the policemen are on strike in most places in Bolivia, with even the highest ranking police chiefs joining them on the picket line.
Most disputes surrounding strikes are about – spoiler alert – money, yet one newspaper has reported that the policemen have presented 29 points, demands they would like the government to meet if they are to continue with their duties. Another newspaper disagrees, stating there are actually 25 points, while yet another fish wrap claims there are only 21.
Currently, a policeman makes less than 200 dollars in Bolivia, less than my nanny or my cleaning lady does at my house. It comes as no surprise, then, that policemen like to supplement their income any way they can.
The first institutions to act are the banks, who shut their doors immediately and only re-open them once they have the proper (usually private) security measures in place.
The most notable difference in the first days of the strike in Bolivia's capital city La Paz is the traffic. With no cops, people feel more empowered to run that red light (which they do anyway), to hang that illegal U turn or create that extra passing lane, oncoming traffic be damned.
The police's arch enemies are none other than the military, an institute with no proven record (they've never won a war, for what that's worth), yet here's a body of power that earns more than people in law enforcement and has the additional perks of guarding the borders and, more than anything, decides what crosses them. Something tells me here that if at least the military's pay were lowered, the cops can continue to walk beat, direct traffic, and take bribes. That said, I am not sure that's such a clever idea, especially since you will be lowering the pay of the guys holding 99% of the country's firing arms. That's a worse idea than opening your banks without security or policemen to guard them. Policemen demand that their pay is at least on par with the military, estimated to be around $300 per month.
The first counter proposal by President Morales' government is an increase of $30, which is unanimously rejected by the rank in file here in La Paz. As a result, police cadets from the academy are now directing traffic throughout the city.
Other conspiracy theories set forth by the government include the infiltration of the police force by right wing elements and a possible coup d'état of the government which would include a clash with the armed forces and the assassination of the Interior Minister.
Stay tuned. My money is on a settlement between both sides, although in Latin America you can never rule out coups.
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