A 20-year-old Lethbridge man has been charged for allegedly impersonating an officer.
On May 9, a member of the Lethbridge Police Service Traffic Response Unit spotted a black Ford Explorer with a push bar, light bar, LED lights and siren speakers on Mayor Magrath Drive South. Additionally, police said the roof of the vehicle had antennas like those found on law enforcement vehicles.
LPS reported that the vehicle also had a sticker that read ‘Police Interceptor’ on its back.
A traffic stop was done and during so, police reported that the officer spotted an ignition override switch on the dash and toggle bars mounted to the centre console, capable of controlling emergency equipment installed in the vehicle.
Police said there was also a search light mounted on the driver’s side and bars on the blacked out, rear passenger windows.
Sergeant Tony Ramotowski with the TRU said the Ford Explorer was a decommissioned police vehicle.
The LPS reported that the driver, who had previously been pulled over, warned, ticketed and directed to remove the equipment in another incident, was arrested and criminally charged. The vehicle was seized and towed to the LPS compound.
The 20-year-old suspect from Lethbridge is charged with personating a police officer. He was released from custody and is set to appear in court on July 8.
LEGALITIES
Police said that in Canada, it is illegal to outfit a civilian vehicle with equipment like red and blue lights, sirens, push bars, spotlights and decals or markings containing the word ‘Police’ or any official police crest that could lead the public to believe it is an active police vehicle.
Buying a decommissioned police vehicle is legal, but the owner must remove all decals, light bars and specialized equipment before the vehicle can hit the road.
