Post by LadyBlue on Jan 16, 2013 13:15:22 GMT -5
A woman driving alone on Ala. 181 on Sunday afternoon reported that she was pulled over by a man in an unmarked car who left the scene when she told him she was calling 911 to confirm his identity. The police impersonation report was posted on the Fairhope Police Department's Facebook page.
The incident occurred just north of Ala. 104 around 2 p.m. The man claiming to be an officer was driving a white Ford Crown Victoria with blue lights concealed its the grill. The vehicle resembles models often used by area law enforcement.
The victim, a 40-year-old woman, did not leave her car, and no assault was reported, Fairhope police said in the release.
The unnamed woman described the impersonator as being approximately 5’ 9”, average weight, brown and grey hair, approximately 50 years of age, wearing a long-sleeve white oxford-style shirt and dark pants. She said that the man was wearing a holstered pistol on his right hip and talked to her through her driver’s window. The man approached her car in a fashion similar to standard police procedure.
When the imposter asked for her driver’s license, the woman told him that she was calling 911 on her cell phone to verify his identity. At that point he returned to his car and left the scene, Fairhope police said.
The Fairhope Police Department contacted other area law enforcement agencies and none had officers or cars in that area at that time attempting to stop motorists.
Anyone with any further details on this offense, or who was in the area and witnessed the incident, are asked to notify the Fairhope Police Department at 251-928-2385.
As a standard precaution, any driver who is signaled to stop by an unmarked car, even if the unmarked car is displaying flashing lights, should follow these simple rules provided by Fairhope police:
• Activate your vehicle’s flashing hazard lights to signal that you are aware that a possible police vehicle is trying to stop you.
• Proceed to the first available well-lit, occupied area before stopping, such as an open gas station, restaurant, or convenience store.
• Use your cell phone to call 911. The 911 operator can verify whether the vehicle is legitimate by calling the law enforcement agency assigned to that area.
• Remain in your vehicle. If the officer is not in uniform, ask to see photo ID. You can also request for a uniformed officer to be dispatched to the scene.
• Do not speed up or try to evade the vehicle.
Police departments nationwide are aware of these universal precautions.
blog.al.com/live/2012/12/fairhope_investigating_police.html
The incident occurred just north of Ala. 104 around 2 p.m. The man claiming to be an officer was driving a white Ford Crown Victoria with blue lights concealed its the grill. The vehicle resembles models often used by area law enforcement.
The victim, a 40-year-old woman, did not leave her car, and no assault was reported, Fairhope police said in the release.
The unnamed woman described the impersonator as being approximately 5’ 9”, average weight, brown and grey hair, approximately 50 years of age, wearing a long-sleeve white oxford-style shirt and dark pants. She said that the man was wearing a holstered pistol on his right hip and talked to her through her driver’s window. The man approached her car in a fashion similar to standard police procedure.
When the imposter asked for her driver’s license, the woman told him that she was calling 911 on her cell phone to verify his identity. At that point he returned to his car and left the scene, Fairhope police said.
The Fairhope Police Department contacted other area law enforcement agencies and none had officers or cars in that area at that time attempting to stop motorists.
Anyone with any further details on this offense, or who was in the area and witnessed the incident, are asked to notify the Fairhope Police Department at 251-928-2385.
As a standard precaution, any driver who is signaled to stop by an unmarked car, even if the unmarked car is displaying flashing lights, should follow these simple rules provided by Fairhope police:
• Activate your vehicle’s flashing hazard lights to signal that you are aware that a possible police vehicle is trying to stop you.
• Proceed to the first available well-lit, occupied area before stopping, such as an open gas station, restaurant, or convenience store.
• Use your cell phone to call 911. The 911 operator can verify whether the vehicle is legitimate by calling the law enforcement agency assigned to that area.
• Remain in your vehicle. If the officer is not in uniform, ask to see photo ID. You can also request for a uniformed officer to be dispatched to the scene.
• Do not speed up or try to evade the vehicle.
Police departments nationwide are aware of these universal precautions.
blog.al.com/live/2012/12/fairhope_investigating_police.html