Police impersonator stops two women in Missouri

After two women in eastern Missouri were stopped by someone pretending to be a police officer, ABC 17 News checked with law enforcement to see what residents should do if they think this might be happening to them.

The first thing you can do is to try and get to a well-lit, populated area such as a gas station or hospital.

“You want to proceed within the speed limit and indicate you’re trying to pull over,” Detective Tom O’Sullivan, with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department said.

In rural Missouri, though, oftentimes there won’t be a place to stop for miles. Officers say if you’re nervous at all, call 911. You can tell dispatch where you are and they will be able to tell if a legitimate officer is trying to stop you.

“If you have a cell phone, you’re not alone,” Sgt. Scott White, with Missouri State Highway Patrol, said. “You can call 911 or (star) 55. Let them know what’s going on and ask for directions on what to should do. They can check with their officers to see if they’re making an actual car stop.”

Law enforcement officials recommend becoming familiar with the color of the uniforms your local agency wear.

“Boone County Sheriff’s Department wears dark brown pants, tan shirt,” O’Sullivan said. “Columbia Police, dark blue. Highway Patrol, blue pants with a lighter blue shirt.”

If you can get a good visual on the car, it will also allow you to determine if the stop is legitimate.

“Does the vehicle have ‘police’ or ‘sheriff’ or ‘highway patrol’ on it somewhere?” O’Sullivan said.

Law enforcement has changed over the years and that includes their vehicles. White said 10 years ago, most agencies used Crown Victorias or vehicles with a body style similar to that.

“Now it’s a little different,” White said. “We have Chargers, Explorers, Tahoes, even pickup trucks.”

The lights would be what first indicates someone is trying to stop you and can also be the most telling evidence as to whether it is a true traffic stop.

“It’s going be those red and blue lights,” White said. “Those days of the red bubble light on top of the car are long gone. And they won’t just be on the top. They’ll also be in the grill.”

Most companies who sell law enforcement equipment will only sell to accredited agencies, but it is not impossible for impersonators to get their hands on lights resembling the kind officers use.

“I don’t know if it would be illegal to have those in your vehicle but I’d certainly want to know why you have those in your vehicle if you’re not a law enforcement officer,” O’Sullivan said.

If you don’t have a phone and can’t find a populated area to stop, officers say to stay in your car and keep your doors locked. Officials say many impersonators will also carry a fake badge but you can also ask to see the officer’s ID card. That card should have the agency’s emblem and the officer’s full name on it.

It’s also recommended drivers pay attention to what the officer is asking. Most officers will let you know why they stopped you and ask for your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. You should also be suspicious if the person immediately asks you to get out of the car, without asking any preliminary questions.

Officers say they’re OK with someone calling dispatch to verify the stop, but to give them a sign you’re aware of their presence.

“You have to remember with law enforcement: People know who we are but we don’t know who they are,” White said. “Law enforcement has its own built-in challenges and we work hard to build trust within the community. We do not need these impersonators out there destroying that trust.”

In the state of Missouri, it is a class A misdemeanor to impersonate an officer.