Encounters with Fake Police Officers: Tales from the Field
Getting dressed up in a police officer’s uniform and pretending to be a law enforcement officer can be an ill-conceived and potentially dangerous pursuit. In the stories shared by these two experienced police officers, we delve into their encounters with individuals who tried to impersonate law enforcement officials, revealing the complexities and sometimes comical aspects of these situations.
Arresting a Fake Cop in the 1980s
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, police impersonation was not an entirely unheard-of phenomenon, particularly during the iconic era of Miami Vice television series. It was a time when cocaine was prevalent, and women were seen in short sequenced dresses and tight Spandex.
One such encounter occurred in 1980, when I, a newly seasoned police officer, pulled up to a popular bar in response to a report of a police impersonator and kidnapping suspect. What I saw was a bridge troll—a term used to describe someone who sits or loiters by a bridge or overpass—out into the autumn evening. She was a hot, teenage girl, barely walking, drunk, and underage.
As expected, this was a complex situation. I acknowledged that to be an LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) requires actual authority and credentials, so I arrested her for impersonating a LEO. Additionally, the kidnapping charge was added due to her inability to provide meaningful information. To ensure her safety, I arrested her for kidnapping and to protect her from further potential harm.
As we started driving, the girl’s stomach contents emptied on my new police car’s floorboard, and a fruity smell of wine filled the cabin. Her drunken state didn’t help matters. After a few minutes, she mumbled the name of our Chief of Detectives. I called, and he quickly arrived, identifying her as his stepdaughter. With his assurance that this was a simple misunderstanding, the transient suspect pled to impersonation, but the prosecutor refused to file on the kidnapping charges. Our detectives continued to monitor her activities, but she fled the state after jumping bail.
As a police officer, I often wondered how many drunk women this suspect may have kidnapped, possibly raped, or even murdered. The thought is chilling to think that such a minor misunderstanding could lead to such dire consequences.
Encountering a Patrol Special Imposter in San Francisco
Another encounter took place in the midst of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), where impersonation was taken to another level. In an age where Patrol Specials, sworn SFPD officers with peace officer status, rented their services out to security roles, a phony impersonator threatened to blur the line between public service and private enterprise.
The SFPD had a specific uniform and badge design to distinguish officers. I noticed a fellow wearing an SFPD uniform, including a badge with a six-point star while on duty in a business parking lot. However, the six-point star was a clear indication that he was a Patrol Special, which was immediately suspicious. Regular SFPD officers wear seven-point stars, and their shoulder patch design is also unique.
But there were other inconsistencies in his attire. For example, he was wearing a cap, which is unusual for an off-duty officer in their personal vehicle. Furthermore, his cap was a wide saucer cap with a generic style that was used by numerous departments, and the badge was stained, its color mismatching the usual gold of SFPD badges.
The situation escalated when the SFPD was informed about a stolen badge, which he was wearing. We quickly arrested him, and he attempted to deceive us further by carrying a real firearm in a Sam Browne holster. Indeed, he was using his untraceable pretext as a cover to target "badge bunnies"—women who were attracted to him through the uniform. Unfortunately, the name of this mission is not fictional, as it served as the inspiration for my short story "Cap Device," which I published in the July 2018 issue of Mystery Weekly.
For a nominal fee, you can read “Cap Device” on Mystery Weekly's website.
Conclusion
Police impersonation is a serious matter, but these encounters can sometimes be humorous, revealing human flaws and the complexity of everyday situations. As law enforcement officers, we must be vigilant in our responsibilities and always be prepared for the unpredictable nature of our profession.