Lawyers, Engineers In The
List Of People Applying For A Job At The Tránsito Police
The possibility of becoming a traffic cop in Costa Rica seduces many
Costa Ricans, as 3.400 people have applied for one of the 400 new
positions created in the police force with the approval of the new
Ley de Tránsito that went into effect last December 23.
"We have received applications from engineers and lawyers" said
Germán Marín, the director of the Tránsito police.
The director added that next week the first 80 officers will be
hired that will start their duties before September 23, when the new
traffic fines and regulations go into full effect.
Marín said he is not surprised at the high demand for a position
with his police force, as the current financial crisis leads many to
seek out jobs as police officials even though they have no training
in the field.
Candidates must have a B1 license for a vehicle and A4 for a
motorcycle and will be submitted to a 580 hour course on police
work, which includes the use of firearms, attending the scene of an
accident, traffic laws and ethics. Oh yes, candidates will have get
instructions on how to operate one of the many tow trucks used by
the traffic police.
However, a 30 year veteran of the Policia de Tránsito has a
different opinion as to why the large number people who want to join
the force.
Official Alvarado told Inside Costa Rica that many applying have the
idea that being a Tránsito is a profitable venture, getting in,
taking out as much cash as possible before being booted or getting
out.
Alvarado, at the age of 60 and with the plum job of directing
traffic at the San Jose airport, says he joined the force when he
was 30 and admits there is corruption in the Tránsito, but not as
much as there used to be.
The drop in corruption, according to Alvarado, is mainly due to
better salaries, better working conditions and tenure.
Alvarado predicts that many of the new officers will be disappointed
and will leave the force within the first year. He cites his
recollection of the last time the Tránsito police force hired new
officials a few years back, saying that of the 125 hired, only 25
are still on the job today.
The Human Resources department of Tránsito will be taking
applications on the road, visiting the communities of Puntarenas on
March 18, Liberia on March 25, Pérez Zeledón on April 1, Siquirries
on April 15, San Carlos on April 22 and Río Claro, Golfito, on April
28.
Of course, applications can always be submitted at the Tránsito La
Uruca offices in San Jose.
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