Repeater
Regular Member
LEO encounters can be difficult enough when the cop is real, but what if he is an impostor? And what if he is targeting women? And what if some of these women carry (in accordance with the law)? What would be good advice under the circumstances? What if the fake cop, seeing a handgun in plain view, asks for her to surrender the gun to him -- and she does not comply? What if he escalates -- now what?
Police impersonator reported in Louisa
What follows is the official advice from the Sheriff's department:
I wonder about that 'official advice' -- many LEOs do not like it if you fail or refuse to comply with their show of authority. They might not accept your explanation that you were suspicious of them.
Police impersonator reported in Louisa
According to Lt. Jeff Sims, two women reported being stopped this month on Shannon Mill Road at night by a man in an unmarked car with flashing lights.
On March 4, a woman said she was pulled over by a white male in a gray sweatsuit driving a dark-colored car. He did not show any identification, but told her that she had rolled through a stop sign, Sims said.
The woman said he then went to his car, and when he came back, she said, he told her he wasn't going to give her a ticket.
A witness that lived nearby said the car was a large, dark car with no markings and blue lights.
On March 20, another female reported that a car with flashing blue-and-red lights came up behind her on Shannon Mill Road. The woman pulled into a driveway, then noticed that the car had a Mercury emblem and didn't have a front license plate. She said the lights were rotating on the car's dashboard.
Sims said the woman pulled away and the car did not follow her.
What follows is the official advice from the Sheriff's department:
Sims said the Sheriff's Office is informing citizens that while Louisa deputies do use unmarked cars, all official vehicles have front and rear license plates.
"Please be aware numerous law enforcement agencies are present in Louisa with unmarked vehicles," Sims said. "Be sure to comply as much as is reasonable while verifying the officer's authority."
He said if one is stopped by an unmarked car matching the description in the reports, or if a stop by an unmarked car seems suspicious, drive slowly to an un-secluded area before stopping. Report any suspicious activity by calling 911, he said.
I wonder about that 'official advice' -- many LEOs do not like it if you fail or refuse to comply with their show of authority. They might not accept your explanation that you were suspicious of them.