Fake cops operating all over the United States

[TRUEBLUE91]

Fake cops operating all over the United States

One of the biggest threats to the ability of law enforcement personnel to effectively earn the trust of those they serve and protect is the police impersonator. Most of the time it

[Delta784]

I've mentioned it in several other threads....I've told my wife that if she's stopped by an unmarked vehicle, to roll the window down an inch and request a marked cruiser. If the "cop" tries to open the door, I told her to drive away and call 911 on her cell phone. Too many weirdos out there to take the risk.

My PD's regulations state that unmarked vehicles won't make traffic stops unless there is an immediate public safety hazard (OUI, etc.).

[Watchman]

Several years ago here in Arkansas we had a rash a rapes by an impersonator...who came to be known by the news media as the "Blue Light Rapist".

It was always the same thing...a white CV with a spot light that looked like an unmarked with a rotating blue dash light, and the victims were always young woman. He would pull them over on roads with little traffic and small chance of being caught. He would handcuff them and do the deed and let them go.

He always flashed a badge and looked profesional enough.

He was eventually caught and a law was passed by the legislature that made it illegal for anyone other than an emergency worker to posses any kind of light. Same law also made it illegal to sell lights to anyone without proper credentials.

Now, its standard procedure for any unmarked unit involved in a traffic stop to automatically call for a marked unit just to ease the fears of the passenger. Up till then we had several interesting incidents for people refusing to stop for unmarked vehicles.

[orange]

I know that up here (In Canada) if you're pulled over by an unmarked, and you're unsure if its legit, you can drive to the nearest detachment. Of course, you must drive in a safe manner on the way over there.

Any other towns/cities/states have similar policies?

[TRUEBLUE91]

The alleged cop impersonator jailed in the killing of a Long Island banker was charged yesterday with abducting and robbing employees of a Queens check-cashing business.
The indictment of Reginald Gousse, 31, of Rosedale, on seven counts of robbery, kidnapping and criminal impersonation was announced by Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

"The crime was violent and ruthless and has left the victims deeply traumatized," he said.

Gousse is being held in a Nassau County jail in the fatal Jan. 5 shooting of bank manager James Gottlieb.

Authorities contend the ex-con pretended to be a cop and pulled over Gottlieb's car in Franklin Square before shooting the banker dead.

Brown said Gousse also was wanted for allegedly posing as a police officer in St. Alban's last May 20 and halting a car with two employees of the CLB Check Cashing company and the husband of one.

The district attorney said Gousse flashed a badge and a handgun before placing the three in plastic handcuffs and forcing them into his vehicle.

He drove to the company's offices on Linden Blvd. and there took an undetermined number of MetroCards and personal property from two of victims, officials said.

Authorities suspect Gousse was involved in other robberies that targeted managers at supermarkets and check-cashing businesses.

[blackandgold978]

People should also know that not only does a citizen have a right to ask to see a badge, but also a departmental issued I.D. Card.

An imposter might have bought himself a fake badge, but it's likely that he didn't bother to get a false departmental I.D. Card as well.

So put that in your pipe and smoke it, all you phony-boloneys out there...... :cool:

[Watchman]

People should also know that not only does a citizen have a right to ask to see a badge, but also a departmental issued I.D. Card.

That is true. But how many people have ever seen a police ID card ?

Ours looks pretty mickey mouse. You could probably make one up on the computer that looks more "offical" than the one Ive got...

[Slippery Pete]

It's just a different way to engage in the same old evil that dirtbags have always engaged in. For every person robbed or raped by a cop impersonator, how many have been robbed and raped by someone not flashing a badge?

I don't like the idea of restricting how police operate (no unmarked traffic stops, etc.). People should be educated, of course, that not everyone with a blue light is a cop. But if they're really concerned about being stopped by an imposter, they need to take responsibility for their own safety (i.e. buy a gun and learn to use it).

[Creeker]

Personally I have been wondering when these Homeland Security people are going to start cracking down on us patch traders, etc.

I can go right now to my local Costume Shop and rent a local city cop uniform that is identical, only has the first letter on the shoulder patch mis-sewn. Stick a badge of the same design on it (it may come with it?) and boom I am a City Cop in a rented uniform.

It irritates me to see these civilian CV's with antennae mounted all over them and it turns out to be some REACT member or a Notary Public...

I guess if they bluff their way out of a speeding ticket, what else can they bluff their way through?!?!?

[gunnerdogg]

People should also know that not only does a citizen have a right to ask to see a badge, but also a departmental issued I.D. Card.

I worked for a department that didn't have and ID cards.