LANCASTER – There is a story circulating in the Antelope Valley about a man impersonating a police officer. The man is believed to be driving an unmarked White Ford Crown Victoria equipped with spotlights, emergency lights and siren, according to a message on social media posted by the California Highway Patrol.
If you have been stopped by this individual, contact the local CHP Office at 661-948-8541 or call 911 to reach an emergency dispatch center.
In a community advisory issued Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol offered traffic stop safety tips to motorists. Read it below:
If you can determine that the vehicle behind you is displaying red lights and/or sounding a siren and is clearly marked as a police vehicle (i.e. black and white with identifying insignia on the driver and passenger door panels), do the following:
- Reduce your speed, pull to the right and stop in a safe location, and lower your window to listen to instructions.
- Turn on your emergency flashers and acknowledge that you see and will yield to the red light.
- If you observe two or more clearly marked police vehicles behind you with red lights operating, pull to the right and stop in a safe location.
If you can’t determine if the police vehicle is legitimate, do the following:
- Turn on your emergency flashers and acknowledge that you see and will yield to the red light.
- Continue driving at a reduced rate of speed until you can safely stop in a well-lighted, public location, preferably where other people are present.
- Stay in your vehicle and wait for the officer to approach your vehicle and issue additional instructions.
- If you are contacted by someone who you believe is impersonating an officer, request to see their identification/badge. You do not need to open your window to see a badge or ID. You should see a uniform, their duty belt and see and hear their police radio.
- Use common sense, if you’re suspicious call 9-1-1 on your cellphone to alert authorities.
While infrequent, there are legitimate traffic stops conducted by unmarked local, state and/or federal agencies. While these types of vehicles can vary in make/model, in many cases you would still see at least one solid red light, a siren as necessary, in addition to the law enforcement officer displaying distinctively marked clothing, a badge or other credentials. Once the officer positively identifies his/her self, comply with their requests.
If you’ve been contacted or stopped recently by someone you suspect is impersonating a police officer, immediately contact your local Law Enforcement Agency to submit your tip.
Ryan Hunt says
Mary, unfortunatley, common sense eludes many individuals. Rankin, there are unmarked vehicles that law enforcement utilizes that do not indicate they are CA EXEMPT on the license plate placard. This information is misleading, if you have taken a driving test or traffic school, it is the blue lights in addition to the red lights that signifies a police presence. An individual impersonating a PUBLIC SERVANT would more than likely only have red flashing lights. Official fire response vehicles have just the red flashing lights and it is advised to pull over to the side of the road if safely able to do so when there emergency vehicles approaching with red lights flashing. You shouldnt allow yourself to be stopped and approached by someone with only red flashing lights, unless your car is on fire or there is some other reason that would get the attention of first responder personnel.
Unless says
It is very easy to create the blue flashers now thanks to blue leds which are readily available. A teen in my neighborhood has a loud speaker system with siren noises on it, irritating brat.
Mary says
If you see this type of car trying to pull you over roll down your window and flip him off and keep driving
Never pull over for any vehicle other than a very recognisable Palmdale or Lancaster Police car
Come on – this is common sense
Use your street smarts and flip the dude the bird
Then while driving to your destination call 911 and get them in route to finally put this guy in prison
COMMON sense
I have lived here for quite some time and know what the police cars look like and even recognize several officers from routinely seeing them driving around or having coffee at 711 on Palmdale Blvd or on Sierra Hwy
Rankin says
What about vehicle license plate. That can be seen when being approached? Aren’t there distinguishing differences between law enforcement and civilian plates?
Unless says
it is an unmarked car, then it will have general plates to not give away.