I had 3 problems with the police in DR in the past 14 years - both about 8 years ago:
- PN on the mountain, had to pay a bribe for renting a car and not driving it with the papers in it. I offered the $$, it was that or lose my car
- Loaned a friend my car, he got pulled over for not having papers, he spent the night in jail, got my car back -- the PN's were having a huge argument in the parking lot and I had another key --- one of my Dominican friends drove it out of the lot and right past them
- Amet in Sosua for driving a pasola without a helmut, almost took the pasola, I cried, they changed their mind, didn't have to pay anything
That's it. I have never been robbed, assaulted or really had anything bad happen to me (knock on wood) in my time spent in DR. I recognize most of the police on the street - I find them very nice all the time, in fact most of them are big flirts. I guess everyone has different experiences but I thought I would post to at least give credit where credit is due..