Criminals impersonate police to exploit people’s trust, veteran officer warns: how to protect yourself

Law enforcement officers solve increasing problems in a series of disturbing cases Criminal who pretends to be a policeman Surfaced, causing alarms about public safety and trust in true authority.

Ken Alexandrow, a retired Nashville Metropolitan Police and Self-Defense Trainer, told Fox News Digital that the criminals used fake badges, uniforms, and even vehicles equipped with online purchases of strobe lights that were purchased online, attacking, attacking and extorting unquestioned victims.

He warned that despite the relatively isolated incidents, they have caused great damage to public trust.

“They saw the unity and immediately connected it with law enforcement,” Alessandro explained. “People kept reading the badges. They saw the authority, they followed it.”

The latest case of police imitation

The latest incident occurred in Texas on August 22, when two men were allegedly shot dead after trying to enter the house.

Authorities told Fox 26 Houston The suspect wore a mask, bulletproof vest and badge around his neck, telling the homeowner that they were providing an arrest warrant. Residents refused to open the door after finding the man through the ring camera and noticed that there was no police car. Police said the suspect was fired, prompting the homeowner to return to the fire and killed the two men.

Authorities said two men claimed to have been shot by police were killed by the homeowner.

Last week in Santa Rosa, California, police arrested Peni Cere, a 42-year-old security guard, who was charged in July with sexual assault on a woman after imitating an officer.

Authorities say He threatens the victim, Who has been sleeping in her car and was deported when showing badges and claiming to be a “police.” The woman delayed reporting the attack due to concerns about immigration consequences, but was eventually encouraged by family members.

“Based on the boldness of Cere’s behavior, and the fact that he identified himself as a ‘police’ and threatened the victim, he will report her to the ice, and we believe there may be more unidentified victims who are too scared to stand up,” the police said in a press release.

In Maryland, 19-year-old Jayden Ballard was charged earlier this month with imitating a police officer after he allegedly visited a Maryland state police vehicle and wore a uniform while riding in a fake traffic stop.

In one of the most shocking cases, a person Impersonating a fatal shooting Minnesota Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband also injured state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in June. The suspect was reportedly identified as Vance Luther Boelter, who wore tactical equipment and served as a law enforcement officer while approaching the victim’s house.

Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson condemned the deception and confirmed the trouble of the ambush.

“[The] Jacobson previously said: “The suspect used the trust of our uniforms, which our uniforms were meant to represent. Betrayaling to those of us who wear badges and sense of responsibility is deeply disturbing.”

Officials’ warning

The Arizona Department of Security and Gov. Katie Hobb’s office last month issued a warning urging to stay alert.

Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety said in the press release. “Our agency is committed to rigorously investigating and prosecuting anyone who has acted wrongly as a peace official.”

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Glover added that they will “not tolerate individuals who exploit the authority and image of law enforcement for criminal or deceptive purposes.”

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs echoed the warning, noting that “local and state law enforcement have a tough job.”

Impersonating their job makes this job harder. “This has hurt our officers, undermined public trust and reduced our community,” Hobbs said in a statement.

Easy to use fake equipment

According to Alexandrow, many of the equipment used in these crimes are easily available.

He said uniform stores often sell shirts, boots and tax belts without scrutiny, and strobe lights can be purchased online. Official badges and patches should be restricted, but fake versions are easy to obtain.

The only items strictly controlled are official patches and law enforcement badges, but fake versions are easy to create.

Minnesota’s deadly ambush raises concerns about fake police crashes

“It’s not difficult to get clothes, patches, badges, duty belts, weapons,” Alessandro said.

He added that real patrol cars are often “lit up like Christmas trees” with 360-degree lighting, while impostors usually rely on single folding lights or cheap strobes.

How to protect yourself

Authorities urge anyone who suspects they encounter police to act cautiously and contact local law enforcement immediately.

“The opportunity is if someone doesn’t respond (sending), then you know it’s not a real policeman,” Alessandro said.

Officials provide guidance to help those who believe they have met law enforcement officers:

• If driving, try pulling away in a well-lit, densely populated area
• Request for identification: Law enforcement officers must carry certificates of authorization to identify them and their agents
• Call 911
• Pay attention to identification details (vehicle type, license plate, badge number)
• keep Calm

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trust

Although cases are not common, Alessandro said crime is at the heart of public safety and that the already fragile relationship between law enforcement and the community has deteriorated.

He admitted: “It won’t help.

For those who carry out these plans, Alexander warned: “They just make our jobs more difficult. Be careful when they are caught.”

Stepheny Price covers crimes, including missing persons, homicides and immigration crimes. Story tip: stepheny.price@fox.com.