Indiana State Police Offer Safety Tips to Combat Police Impersonators

PENDLETON, IN -  Lt. Bob Burke, Commander of the Pendleton Post, would like to remind citizens in Indiana there are hundreds if not thousands of traffic stops that are performed by legitimate law enforcement officials performing their sworn duty. On a very rare occasion a person impersonating a police enforcement officer comes to the attention of law enforcement and the public after performing a bogus traffic stop or falsely representing themselves as a public servant. 

Indiana code 35-44-2-3 states: A person who falsely represents that the person is a public servant with intent to mislead and induce another person to submit to false official authority or otherwise to act to the other person’s detriment in reliance on the false representation, commits impersonation of a public servant, a Class A misdemeanor. However, one who falsely represents that he or she is: 

1. a law enforcement officer; or
2. an agent or employee of the department of state revenue, and collects any property from another person; commits a Class D felony

Remember, a law enforcement officer cannot make a traffic stop for a traffic infraction in an unmarked vehicle unless they are in full uniform. A law enforcement officer can make a traffic stop for traffic infractions in civilian clothes only if they are operating a fully marked police car.  

The following are some safety tips to protect you against a police impersonator. 

• Stop in a well lighted and populated area
• Only roll your window down enough so you can communicate (one or two inches)
• Ask for the officer’s identification even if they are wearing something that has “police or sheriff’ on it
• Do not get out of your vehicle to go back to his vehicle
• Call 911 and give the dispatcher your location