PUBLIC ALERT: At approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday there was a dark colored car (thought to be black or blue unmarked Crown Victorian Sedan) that pulled over a vehicle in Knifley around the area of the old Knifley Grade Center. The person gave an appearance to be an officer and was dressed in a uniform with a badge, wearing a gun and also had blue lights on the vehicle.
During the encounter, the person asked the occupants to get out and to search the vehicle.
Constable Jason Rector reported the incident early this morning on his Facebook page and asked that anyone who comes across suspicious activity to contact 9-1-1 immediately so that they can try to apprehend this subject and get him off the streets as soon as possible.
Rector told the Community Voice that he and two deputies from the sheriff’s department and a KSP trooper searched for the vehicle for several hours. They are not sure if this is the same person who has been giving the appearance he is a police officer that has approached several homes in recent days. That man was seen driving a black truck.
The following is from a CNN article about what to do if you question if the car pulling you over is really an officer:
First, have you done something to deserve being pulled over? If you’ve been driving within 5-mph of the posted speed limit and haven’t broken any traffic laws that you’re aware of, your guard should be up if all of a sudden there’s an unmarked car on your tail with its lights flashing — especially if it’s out in the middle of nowhere and late at night. While radar traps are a reality, most of the time, we get pulled over for a reason — and we know perfectly well what it is. So if you honestly haven’t done anything wrong that you’re aware of — and the “officer” just appeared out of nowhere — you’re right to be suspicious — particularly if you are female and traveling alone.
Second, if the vehicle attempting to pull you over is not a clearly marked police cruiser — or a car or truck that isn’t routinely used for police work (especially if it’s an older/broken down-looking vehicle) and your “creep radar” is telling you something’s just not right — you should slow down (to indicate you are not trying to get away, in case it is a real police officer), signal your intent to pull over — but only do so when you can find a well-lit, public place with other people around, such as a shopping mall parking lot.
Or, you can pull over immediately — but keep your doors locked and only crack the window enough to pass your driver’s license and registration through.
Third, get a good look at the “officer” and his credentials. If the “officer” is not in uniform, refuses to show you his badge — or just flashes it briefly, so you can’t get a good look — keep that window rolled up and those doors locked tightly.
Ask once more to see his credentials. If he won’t let you, tell the “officer” that you’d like for him to call another officer to the scene. This is your right — and while it may aggravate the officer if he is in fact the real deal, it could save your life if he’s not. A real officer will understand your concern and have no problem with calling a fellow officer (or supervisor) to the scene. There have been several case of women being abducted and raped by thugs impersonating police — and most departments are very sensitive to people’s legitimate concerns on this score.
Fourth, if the “officer” starts acting oddly when you ask to see his ID — threatening you, behaving in a non-professional manner, pounding on your door, etc. — seriously consider putting the car in gear and getting out of there. Tell the “officer” you are uncomfortable and that you will gladly follow him (or be escorted to) to the nearest police station.
If you have a cell phone, immediately dial 911 — and tell the operator that you have been pulled over by someone who claims to be a police officer but that you think he might not be a real cop. Tell the operator exactly where you are — and stay on the line. If it’s a real officer, you’ll know very soon. If it’s not, the guy will almost certainly take off at this point. (Caution: Only take this step in a situation that clearly doesn’t feel right as you risk an “attempt to elude” charge if it is, indeed, a real police officer. But again, better safe than sorry given the stakes.)
You can read the complete article at http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/08/06/aa.is.it.a.cop/
