New Baja Tourist Police Force Scheduled For Spring Launch

New Baja Tourist Police Force Scheduled For Spring Launch SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA---A new Baja Metropolitan Tourist Police force is scheduled to begin patrolling between Tijuana and Ensenada in April, in time for the busy spring and summer visitor season.

Twenty officers who in turn will train 90 or more to be part of the force were recognized at a Dec. 18 graduation ceremony at the San Diego Police Department, where they received a special one-day course. “I’m confident that this relationship will enable us to expand tourism opportunities on both sides of the border,” San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders told an audience of officers, mayors and representatives from both the Mexican and U.S. consulates.

The Metropolitan Tourist Police will join with other agencies in patrolling parts of the 70-mile tourist corridor from Tijuana to Ensenada. They will offer special assistance to visitors and also can issue bilingual traffic tickets that can be paid from the U.S. Tourist police officers will have special uniforms and vehicles. .

Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres said the special force will help visitors feel more comfortable and welcome in the popular tourist region .Rosarito has had its own 30-member tourist force for two years and it has been well received, Torres said. Additional preparation and training will take place between now and the spring launch. (Accompanying photo shows Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres talking at the Dec. 18 graduation ceremony for members of the Baja Metropolitan Tourist Police. Photo by Barney Thompson/MexiData.)