Unforgivable dee da dee Police impersonator

[mwg]

They should have let him wear his uinform in jail .

 

[rgrimm01]

It sounds like this guy has some issues that could manifest in various ways. At what point is this guy going to step into the abyss and hurt someone?

 

[Trigger Time]

I heard through a birdie, There was also an impersonator who was at the command center for the Super Bowl. With a background that was MiSSED!!! Whoops! Talk about a major blunder. I hope they nail this new guy and set a example.

 

[Ruffnek]

If he had a HAM license he would be legal on the radios.

 

[chezuki]

How was he found out? Sounds like he fooled a lot of people.

 

[SaintsNSinners]

He had a ham license and an LTCH. Known fact.

 

[Cameramonkey]

two guns on the belt probably gave him away

Yeah, I havent seen two guns on a duty belt since the wild west.

Bet the moron thought the tazer was a backup gun.

Props to the cop that busted him. I hope he gets extra time for being a jackass during such a solemn event.

 

[CathyInBlue]

When I get to a real computer I'll post the statutes relating to lights, sirens, and scanners.

IC 9-21-7-10
Lights visible from front of vehicle; prohibition
Sec. 10. This section does not apply to a vehicle required or authorized under this title to display a red, red and white, or red and blue light that is visible from the front of the vehicle. A person may not drive or move a vehicle or equipment upon a highway with a lamp or device on the vehicle or equipment displaying a red, red and white, or red and blue light visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle or equipment.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.99-1991, SEC.3.

IC 9-21-7-11
Flashing lights
Sec. 11. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a vehicle may not display flashing lights.
(b) Flashing lights may be displayed on a vehicle as follows:
(1) On an authorized emergency vehicle.
(2) On a school bus.
(3) On snow-removal equipment.
(4) As a means of indicating a right or left turn.
(5) As a means of indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing.
(6) On a vehicle used in a funeral procession.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.80-2012, SEC.4.

They are not illegal to install on, nor drive around on public thoroughfares with them installed. It's only illegal to turn them on while in motion.

Urk! I'm choosing to add to rather than replace the above text that I just found in searching for the IC about car horns:

IC 9-19-14-5.5
Red and white, red and blue, red, or amber lights
Sec. 5.5. (a) Except for a:
(1) vehicle utilized in a funeral procession; or
(2) funeral escort vehicle bearing markings as described in IC 9-21-13-0.7;
a vehicle that is not described by sections 2 or 5 of this chapter may not display a red and white lamp or a red and blue lamp.
(b) A person who:
(1) possesses a vehicle with equipment described by sections 2 or 5 of this chapter; and
(2) is not authorized to display a red and white or red and blue lamp upon the vehicle;
shall immediately remove the red and white or red and blue lamp from the vehicle.
(c) A funeral escort vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle used in a funeral procession or as a funeral escort vehicle, may display only red and white, red, or amber lights.
As added by P.L.99-1991, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.80-2012, SEC.2.

So, the fixtures can be installed, but not the bulbs of the offending color combinations.

IC 35-44.1-2-7
Unlawful use of a police radio
Sec. 7. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally:
(1) possesses a police radio;
(2) transmits over a frequency assigned for police emergency purposes; or
(3) possesses or uses a police radio:
(A) while committing a crime;
(B) to further the commission of a crime; or
(C) to avoid detection by a law enforcement agency;
commits unlawful use of a police radio, a Class B misdemeanor.
(b) Subsection (a)(1) and (a)(2) do not apply to:
(1) a governmental entity;
(2) a regularly employed law enforcement officer;
(3) a common carrier of persons for hire whose vehicles are used in emergency service;
(4) a public service or utility company whose vehicles are used in emergency service;
(5) a person who has written permission from the chief executive officer of a law enforcement agency to possess a police radio;
(6) a person who holds an amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission if the person is not transmitting over a frequency assigned for police emergency purposes;
(7) a person who uses a police radio only in the person's dwelling or place of business;
(8) a person:
(A) who is regularly engaged in newsgathering activities;
(B) who is employed by a newspaper qualified to receive legal advertisements under IC 5-3-1, a wire service, or a licensed commercial or public radio or television station; and
(C) whose name is furnished by the person's employer to the chief executive officer of a law enforcement agency in the county in which the employer's principal office is located;
(9) a person engaged in the business of manufacturing or selling police radios; or
(10) a person who possesses or uses a police radio during the normal course of the person's lawful business.
(c) As used in this section, "police radio" means a radio that is capable of sending or receiving signals transmitted on frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission for police emergency purposes and that:
(1) can be installed, maintained, or operated in a vehicle; or
(2) can be operated while it is being carried by an individual.
The term does not include a radio designed for use only in a dwelling.
As added by P.L.126-2012, SEC.54.

Separating the wheat from the chaff, an ordinary person could just get a ham license, and then there's nothing illegal about having radio gear capable of intercepting public service traffic installed in their automobile. Or even capable of transmitting thereon, provided they do not actually transmit.

IC 9-19-5-3
Equipping vehicle with sirens, whistles, or bells; exemption
Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b):
(1) a vehicle may not be equipped with; and
(2) a person may not use upon a vehicle;
a siren, whistle, or bell.
(b) An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell that is capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet and of a type approved by the department. A siren authorized under this section may not be used except when the vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violation of the law. The person who drives a vehicle equipped with a siren under this section shall sound the siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other persons who are driving vehicles of the approach of the authorized vehicle.

As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC. 7. Amended by P.L.1-1991, SEC. 85

So, all of those car alarms that sound like sirens are actually illegal, not to mention those novelty sirens from the 80s.

He had a ham license and an LTCH. Known fact.

Won't insulate him from the impersonation charges when the other photog takes the stand and testifies he answered yes to the question of if he was with the department.

 

[freekforge]

I feel like i have seen this guy before cant remember where though. Oh and i have seen two guns on a duty belt before but it would still make me wonder.

 

[ARdysfunction]

This guy lives a few houses down from my brother. I've seen him out and about hundreds of times and never guessed he was faking. He even pulled my sister in law over in the neighborhood once when she slid through a stop sign in the winter.

 

[Fargo]

I'm not certain that the impersonation charge is sustainable based upon what the article says:

IC 35-44.1-2-6 Version a
Impersonation of a public servant
Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2014. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2014.
Sec. 6. A person who falsely represents that the person is a public servant, with intent to mislead and induce another person to submit to false official authority or otherwise to act to the other person's detriment in reliance on the false representation, commits impersonation of a public servant, a Class A misdemeanor. However, a person who falsely represents that the person is:
(1) a law enforcement officer; or
(2) an agent or employee of the department of state revenue, and collects any property from another person;
commits a Class D felony.
As added by P.L.126-2012, SEC.54.

I didn't see anything about anyone submitting to his authority or acting to their detriment. It sounds like some of the old pull-over incidents would work though.

Looks like potential theft and the flashing lights are in play and maybe scanner depending of if he is a hammie.

So, the fixtures can be installed, but not the bulbs of the offending color combinations.

I don't believe that is what that section says. The purpose is to keep people from driving around in what appear to be unmarked car. The fixture itself is what must be removed if I'm remembering correctly. Its functionality is not really the issue.

Best,

Joe

 

[indydrew1]

The guys a nut who should not be carrying. He's a wanna-be, with a fake cop car showing up to services with 2 guns on him and an AR in his car. He's a nut...

 

[CathyInBlue]

Depends on what the law means by "lamps". I read it as "bulbs". If there's a legal explanation somewhere that requires it be read as "fixtures", I didn't find it.

 

[Fargo]

Edit: Nevermind, I'm going to look it up so I'm sure.

Best,

Joe

 

[Bennettjh]

The article states he had guns in his home. Has something happened in the past that prohibits him from having guns or did they just throw that in the article to make gun owners look nuts?

 

[hornadylnl]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?

 

[Cameramonkey]

The guys a nut who should not be carrying. He's a wanna-be, with a fake cop car showing up to services with 2 guns on him and an AR in his car. He's a nut...

i would say this would be one of the things that should get one's Larry revoked. Maybe even terminating his right to own under the mental defect issues that you have to report on a 4473. He is not right in the head.

 

[wildhair]

The guy sounds like he could become dangerous, I mean if he is pulling people over like he's a COP then he has problems. They used to commit people like that. What ever happened to the loony bin?

 

[jbombelli]

"They" let him OUT, on BOND !!!!! Can you believe THAT !!!!!

In Marion county yep I believe it. So disgusting!

I knew there would be impersonators there and I'm sure there were some who didn't get caught. There's a special reservation in a tormented place for people like them.
so selfish of them to do it to fluff their egos on the backs of others walking the walk and dying doing it.
im having a bad day so maybe that's why I'm just extra pissed about this. I hope he walks in front of a truck and saves us some tax money.

What would be their justification for denying bail?

Indiana Constitution:

Article 1, Section 16. Excessive bail or fines, Cruel and unusual punishment

Section 16. Excessive bail shall not be required. Excessive fines shall not be imposed. Cruel and unusual punishments shall not be inflicted. All penalties shall be proportioned to the nature of the offense.

Article 1, Section 17. Bailable offenses

Section 17. Offenses, other than murder or treason, shall be bailable by sufficient sureties. Murder or treason shall not be bailable, when the proof is evident, or the presumption strong.




Are you guys suggesting that the courts should just throw aside the Indiana Constitution and deny this guy bail because he pissed you off?

 

[Trigger Time]

No, I believe in bail even for scum bags, but I think it should have been higher, or maybe hold him for a mental evaluation.