While East Lansing’s Police Department includes a force of about 70 members, at least one officer on the city streets isn’t carrying a valid badge.

A sketch has been released of the suspect in a police impersonation incident last Thursday on Marfitt Road, near the Lake Lansing Meijer.

Police describe the suspect as a white male, 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-2, about 200 pounds, with medium-length brown or black hair, medium build and possibly in his late 20s to early 30s.

He was wearing a dark blue, long-sleeve police shirt, uniform pants and a Garrison-style cap.

This is the fourth time since 1999 a police impersonator has been reported in East Lansing.

“It’s kind of unique really,” East Lansing police Lt. Kim Johnson said. “People do it every now and then, but to this extent, it’s very unique.”

Johnson said detectives in the case believe this suspect to be the same who appeared in the first incident in 1999.

Since then, all East Lansing police officers are required to carry a photo ID with their badges.

Also, while the suspect’s costume is similar to East Lansing’s standard uniform, the outfit is missing shoulder patches and the car lacks proper markings.

“He must be familiar with the area to do this at least twice in a few years,” Johnson said. “This person could be mobile, so we’re looking around the state. There’s not rhyme or reason to it.”

Lansing police Lt. Ray Hall said he has never heard of a police impersonation case in Lansing.

“It’s extremely rare to see an impersonator,” Hall said. “We’ve had people identify themselves as police officers but not with a full uniform and vehicle.”

While the crime may be rare, Hall said it wouldn’t be difficult to commit when someone is determined.

“You can order patches and badges off the Internet,” he said. “You can buy a uniform at any costume shop. We’ve never seen a fully marked patrol car, but we’ve seen people attempt to come close.”

The general manager at Dimondale’s Adesa Lansing, an automobile auction and resale service, said used police cars pass through the business.

While all of the vehicles are sold only to dealers, other auctioning services can put police-style cars before the public.

Hall said if there is any suspicion that a police impersonator is attempting to pull a car over, the driver shouldn’t pull over until they’ve reached a well-lit, public area.

“We tell our citizens, especially in times like this, not to pull over for unmarked cars,” he said. “The types of situations in East Lansing are helping to get the message out.”

Anyone with information about the police impersonator can contact the East Lansing Police Department tipline at (800) ELPD-TIP.