With evolving technology and mass amounts of fraud, many people rely on police for protection from scams. However, when scammers are impersonating police officers, it becomes difficult to know how to react.
An iPhone application which makes the phone flash similarly to the lights on a cop car has led to a string of police impersonations on the west side of the state recently. In one incident, the motorist became suspicious and contacted the police. According to Michigan State police Sgt. Mark Thompson, this was the correct way to respond in this type of situation.
“If you know that the suspect attempting to pull you over isn’t a police officer, dial 911,” Thompson said. “Your cell (phone) will call the closest dispatch center, (and) the officer can confirm within minutes whether the officer is real or not.”
Thompson also advises drivers to lock the car doors if something seems suspicious, and to make sure the officer is wearing a uniform. People should be cautious of anyone who isn’t in uniform, Thompson said.
“If you are stopped by a person that is impersonating (an officer), become a good witness,” Thompson said. “Get a good physical description, what kind of clothes they are wearing, the car they’re driving, license plate number (and) stay on the scene until people get you.”
Typically, impersonators are trying to rob their victims, and in the case of an armed robbery, Thompson said victims should do what they need to in order to protect themselves, even if it includes doing what the impersonator requests.
“If it’s not a real police officer, they might turn off their lights and make a turn to get away from you,” Thompson said. “Real officers don’t do that. We’re trained to apprehend people that are breaking the law unless something becomes too dangerous.”
Consequences for impersonating a police officer are usually a one-year misdemeanor or four-year felony for those who also commit a crime while impersonating an officer, Thompson said.
MSU police officers wear uniforms nearly identical to Michigan State police officers, except for the patches on the uniform, which have a small Spartan head on it with year 1855, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said. The officers also drive SUV-type cars with the words “Michigan State University Police” on the car.
“We do have some unmarked cars for our detective bureau,” Sgt. McGlothian-Taylor said. “Our patrol officers’ (cars) are fully marked though.”
East Lansing police cars also are fully marked and easily recognizable, East Lansing Police Department Lt. Larry Sparkes said. Sparkes advised those who are suspicious of someone posing as an officer to wait to stop the car until they arrive at a fully lit area.
“In addition to calling dispatch, you can continue (to drive until) you get to a well-lit area or closer to a place you feel like you’re safer,” Sparkes said. “You can explain why it took you a while, don’t speed up or turn away. Just go slow.”
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