Last week, Kansas City police alerted us to a sexual assault involving a man allegedly impersonating a police officer. Such crimes occur from time to time, so it’s a good idea to know how to protect yourself from being a victim of someone pretending to be an officer.
Officer Jim Schriever put out these tips:
KCPD officers do use a variety of vehicles including police cruiser sedans, trucks, ATVS, bicycles and more. Officers from different units also wear different uniforms, and some do work under-cover. To protect yourself from a police impersonator, please note:
- If you are pulled over, it should be by a uniformed officer with a badge in a marked vehicle with lights. The officer should be able to show you current police department identification.
- When in doubt, call 911. You can drive slowly in your car with your flashers on while on the phone with 911 until other units to arrive.
- If you feel uneasy, ask for a supervisor or other officers to come.
- Trust your instinct. If the situation doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.
- Use the buddy system.
- If you have witnessed someone impersonating an officer, call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
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