How to Bribe a Police Officer (Fine Method)

A tradecraft skill on how to bribe a police officer to avoid imminent arrest / detainment. This is the “Pay the Fine” method used by covert operatives for missions and directives for low level criminal infractions.

It’s no secret that police officers can be bribed. In fact, many officers are on the take, and will accept bribes in exchange for favors or preferential treatment.

As a covert operative, knowing how to bribe a cop is incredibly useful to continue on the mission or move on after the mission is complete.

Bribing a police officer is a common occurrence in many countries around the world. It is seen as a way to ‘get out of’ a situation or infraction that you may have otherwise been caught for. While it may seem like an effective solution in the moment, there are certain things that you should take into consideration.

First and foremost, it’s important to be respectful. Remember, this officer may have legitimate cause to arrest you and so you want to make sure that you come across as sincere and humble.

Maintain control. In any high-pressure situation, the first step is to remain calm and composed. This not only helps in thinking clearly but also in maintaining a non-confrontational stance which is critical in delicate interactions.

Assess the situation and quickly evaluate the circumstances. Are you in a jurisdiction where corruption is rampant? Is the request for a bribe explicit or implied? Understanding the context can guide your response. Operatives are trained to quickly assess their environment to determine the best course of action.

The pretense is critical, which is that you would like to pay a fine for whatever infraction you have committed – not a bribe, of course. You can say something like “I apologize for my behavior, I would like to pay the fine right now if possible”, or to that effect.

The idea is that you are paying a “legal” fine for the crime, so then since you have paid your dues, you should be free to go.

The amount is something you have to figure out on the spot, by analyzing the valuation of the bribe with factors such as the country / city you’re in, the rank of the cop – the offer should fairly commensurate with the gravity of the offense or favor.

The amount should not be negotiated on your end but the cop may demand more. Don’t ask how much the fee is, instead state an amount slightly less than that of the cash you have on your person. The officer may accept or request more, in that case you offer the rest.

Immediately upon “paying the fine”, extricate yourself from the situation by apologizing for the infraction and stating you’ll never do it again.

Have an exit strategy in mind. This could range from complying with an official process to knowing when to walk away if the situation permits or at worst employing escape and evasion maneuvers if necessary. Operatives are always taught to have an exit plan that they can execute if a situation becomes untenable.

If the cop is wearing a bodycam or you are in view of the police car’s front windshield (dash camera), then move away from direct sight or do not engage.

Bribing a police officer in this manner can be relatively easy and straightforward to the trained and experienced operative, but it is an advanced tradecraft skill with high risk. Be careful and to choose your target wisely – as this is also a crime in itself.

It’s important to remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to bribery, there is always a chance that the officer will refuse your offer and take legal action against you.

To recap, the concept of this is not to appear as if you’re attempting to bribe the cop, it should be conveyed and therefore perceived as if you’re trying to a pay a fine for the infraction, like a basic parking fine.