State Police are asking for your help, finding a man who may have been impersonating a police officer. Candace Dunkley advises how you can stay safe, if you are questioning whether you are being stopped by an actual officer or a fraud.
BLOOMING GROVE, N.Y. -- It was Sunday just before 6:30pm when a woman driving West on State Route 17 in Blooming Grove was stopped.
“Described it as what we believe to be a dashboard mounted flashing light package, possibly red and blue,” said State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations Captain Pierce Gallagher.
Police said the man who stopped her told her he was a police officer.
“Approached her car. took some paper work from her, conducted himself as if he was a police officer, and there’s some possibility that he was or is but we’re uncomfortable with the circumstance of the stop and the women reported it to state police,” said Gallagher.
Gallagher said if you are unsure of whether you are being stopped by an officer in plain clothes or an impersonator there are a few things you can do, like ask to see an id and call 911.
“Obviously they’d have contacts within any police units in the area. If it’s a matter of confirming that it is in fact a police unit that can be accomplished.”
Gallagher said until you’ve gotten clarification stay in your car; and if you are walking there are also ways to protect yourself.
“Not getting into the vehicle with somebody you don’t know would be the way to go. At that point you’d have to decide for yourself, make noise, try to reach other people.”
If you have any information on this man, call the New York State police in Monroe at (845) 782-7574.