On May 6 last year, Chris Green, 32, from Peterborough, attempted to pull over a woman in Corsham by using a blue LED light attached to his car windscreen. However, Green was not a genuine police officer but was impersonating one.
Green told the woman he was an undercover police officer and questioned her driving. Upon noticing her son was in the car, he quickly fled the scene. Concerned by the suspicious stop, the woman immediately contacted Wiltshire Police.
Wiltshire Police acted swiftly to trace Green. When they arrested him, officers found a LED lightbar, handcuffs, and a baseball bat inside his vehicle. Green later admitted to impersonating a police officer.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court, Green was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay £620 in costs and a £154 surcharge.
Detective Inspector Matt Smith said, “This was a very worrying incident for the victim, who trusted she was stopped by a genuine police officer. Luckily, Green left before things escalated, and the quick-thinking victim called us immediately, helping us catch him fast.”
He added, “We understand how unsettling this is, especially for women. If you’re ever unsure whether someone is a real officer, don’t hesitate to call 101 or 999 in an emergency. Officers will always understand if you ask to verify their identity with our control room.”
“If you think you’ve been targeted by a fake cop, please call 101 right away.”
Wiltshire Police have a simple verification system the public can use to confirm if an officer is genuine and on duty. Officers may offer to put their radio calls on loudspeaker for control room confirmation, particularly when dealing with vulnerable individuals. You can also request this safety check yourself if you feel uneasy.
For more information, visit Wiltshire Police’s website and search for “How to check an officer’s identity.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
