What to do if you suspect someone of impersonating a police officer

A MAN impersonating a police officer tried to pull over another female driver last night.

POLICE have issued a warning to the public after a man reportedly tried to pull over a vehicle, impersonating a police officer in Sydney’s south west last night.

The incident comes only a day after a man impersonating an officer pulled over a 19-year-old woman and called for her to get out of her car.

Police said the two incidents are is believed be linked as the man, vehicle and offence are similarly described.

Last night a woman was driving her vehicle on Mount Hercules Road, Razorback when she saw a white sports wagon was parked on the side of the roadway, with red and blue flashing lights.

A man ran onto the road, waving his arms and screaming at the 44-year-old to stop her car.

She drove around the man and called police.

On Monday morning a woman was driving in nearby suburb Menangle when a white sports sedan drove past her in the opposite direction.

The woman told investigators she saw the car do a U-turn and caught up to her.

The car appeared to have blue and red flashing lights and a siren that sounded muffled as it came up behind her car and indicated for her to pull over.

Most police cars are marked.

A man, described as caucasian with a bald head and yellow teeth, approached her car. She also noticed that he had no shoes and no police identification.

The man called for her to get out of her car, however the woman drove away.

She reported the matter to Camden police who are now investigating. They are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen a man matching this description, or a vehicle described as a white sports car.

A police spokesman told news.com.au incidents such as these were rare and generally involved unmarked police cars.

“(However) if a marked police car is indicating for you to pull over, it is something you must do,” he said.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS OVER AN OFFICER’S VALIDITY:

1. Pull over in a well lit, populated public place

2. Stay in the car with doors locked

3. Call triple-0 and ask for verification of the officer’s identity

4. Always ask for official police identification. A police officer’s badge will have a coloured backing and have a separate photo identification card.

5. Any officers executing a search warrant should provide you with a copy of the warrant outlining all the details, including your rights. Search warrants will always be videotaped and an independent officer will be present; any concerns should be directed towards the independent officer.

Anyone with information about this incident should phone Narellan police station on 02 4632 4499.