Police are issuing a warning about the consequences of pretending to be a law enforcement officer.
This comes after a recent incident in Lethbridge, where a 20-year-old was charged after allegedly driving a decommissioned Ford Explorer designed to appear as a police vehicle.
READ MORE: Police charge Lethbridge man with impersonating an officer
Sergeant Tony Ramotowski with the Lethbridge Police Service’s Traffic Response Unit explained that impersonating an officer, which includes driving a car designed to look like a police vehicle, is a criminal offence under section 130 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
“Under section code 130, a person commits an offence if they falsely represent themselves as a peace officer or use a badge, uniform or equipment in a manner likely to make others believe they are a peace officer. A vehicle counts as equipment,” he said.
“Driving a vehicle that resembles a police car can be illegal if it’s equipped, marked or used in a way that makes others reasonably believe you’re a police officer. Using lights, sirens, decals or associated equipment dramatically increases the likelihood of being charged.”
Sergeant Ramotowski said the crime is considered a ‘hybrid offence’.
“[This means] the Crown can choose to proceed in two ways: two years, less a day, in jail or a $5,000 fine, or a maximum of five years in prison by indictment,” he explained.
PURCHASING A FORMER POLICE VEHICLE
Ramotowksi noted that individuals can legally purchase decommissioned police vehicles; however, there are limits. “Owning or driving a former police car is not illegal by itself.”
“There are some auctions that do sell [Dodge] Chargers, Ford Explorers … however, to avoid [charges], you must not install or keep the red-blue flashing lights, any siren equipment, any police badging, decals, stripes or accessories that make a reasonable person think you are law enforcement. If it’s a plain, unmarked vehicle that lacks police-style equipment, it’s generally legal,” he explained.
As for the LPS, Ramotowski said the service gets all equipment, decals and markings removed from any vehicles before they are sold off.
“I can’t speak to other agencies [and] what they do, but I know for a fact that ours does get removed before it goes to auction,” he stated.
DANGERS
Ramotowski said impersonating an officer can lead to very dangerous situations, citing the April 2020 incident in Nova Scotia, where an individual disguised as a member of the RCMP killed 22 people.
“It’s very dangerous and that’s our responsibility to have these people off the road. We can’t have people impersonating us, for safety reasons.”
