Police say that Gosney showed up at the jail’s sally port and claimed to be an officer picking up an inmate. They let him in, closed the door, and placed him under arrest. [More]
Add this to the list in case you ever need to demonstrate how being cautious of and not immediately responsive to claims of authority is prudent.
[Via bondmen]
Police said he proceeded to ask the woman about her driving, asked for her information and briefly displayed what appeared to be a badge and a gun. [More]
But for the locked doors throwing him off his plan, it sounds like things could have gone very differently.
I always advise on stories like this to be aware of the "Fauxnly Ones" archive because you never know when you might have to prove you had reason to doubt authenticity.
[Via Mack H]
A deputy mayor in New York faces charges after federal authorities found him with dozens of unregistered guns and bogus FBI badges [More]
"If convicted, he would be forced to leave office"?
There's more here that helps to understand mindset:
Downey ... acknowledged that he wasn’t authorized to possess the weapons but defended his actions as a "peace officer" ... He's also a licensed New York State armed guard, as well as a member in good standing of The National Police Defense Foundation ...Some people's fantasies...
Smugglers recently used a phony Border Patrol vehicle and a driver in a fake uniform during a smuggling attempt at the Arizona-Mexico border, U.S. immigration authorities say. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Tucson-area Border Patrol agents took the driver and 10 migrants into custody... [More]Who says they can't quickly adapt to our traditions?
The woman said Fremerman told her and her family that he was a full-fledged cop, claimed to pull people out of cars, train people to fire guns, and that he could tap into her cellphone. The woman told the detective that Fremerman pointed a loaded pistol at her head last September, though Fremerman later claimed the gun wasn’t loaded. [More]
He sounds like he had all the right qualifications except being able to get away with it.
As always, be aware of the Fauxnly Ones files. You never know when you might need to claim you had precedent-based reasons to doubt authenticity...
[Via bondmen]
Men at Florida hotel posed as U.S. marshals to avoid wearing masks, authorities say [More]
How do you get to be that old while being that stupid?
And everyone recalls the "Fauxnly Ones Files" recommendation?
[Via Steve T]
Judge: Man impersonating Chicago cop ‘danger’ to community [More]
Yes, he hadn't received the proper training to qualify for that.
Everyone here is aware of "The Fauxnly Ones Files," and how we never know when we might have to prove we had reason to doubt authenticity...?
[Via bondmen]
California retirement community security guard, 34, is arrested after 'faking being a federal agent for years, accompanying real officers on raids, parading in body armor and carrying firearms' [More]
So it really is as easy as they make it look on television? Flash a badge and welcome to the crime scene? No protocol to verify?
As always, be aware of the WarOnGuns Fauxnly Ones Archive, just in case your legal defense is that you weren't sure the scary person you resisted was really an "Only One" because fakes happen all the time, and based on results, some are good enough to fool the cops.
[Via Steve T]
A security guard attempted to stop Hawkins, who showed a sheriff’s office credential and claimed he was with the agency. He then threatened to arrest the security guard, officials said. Hawkins holds the honorary title of special deputy with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, but is not a certified law enforcement officer and has no arrest powers... [More]Imagine how he'll behave if voters give him even more power.
Gunman disguised as a cop kills at least 16 people in Canada's worst mass-shooting including a mother-of-two Mountie in 12-hour rampage before being shot dead by police [More]So much for licensing.
Fake police in Greeley direct driver into roadblock, question her about coronavirus stay-at-home order - Reports of police impersonation seem to be on the rise since the state’s stay-at-home order was issued [More]You're aware of my Fauxnly Ones archive, right, with example after example to prove the phenomenon is hardly isolated or rare? You never know when you might have to prove you had reason to doubt authenticity...
Fake cop pulls over van full of real detectives, police say [More]You're aware of this archive, right? You never know when you might have to prove you had reason to doubt authenticity...
Dem State Rep Trying to Obtain Cocaine Impersonates, Threatens Cops - ‘I’m a legit officer doing a drug bust,’ Forestal told a couple, asking where to get drugs [More]I like that he pulled family Democrat political connections and said he'd have their badges:
Arkansas woman sentenced to prison after posing as deputy, springing boyfriend from jail [More]If she fooled "trained professionals," how much more vulnerable is it likely to assume the general public would be?
A Naples man was arrested for impersonating an FBI agent. When told to leave a homeowner’s property, the suspect dropped catfish on her lawn, then fled the scene on a bicycle ... The victim said Dudley drove a bike with red and blue flashing lights into her front yard ... [More]Life imitates art.
Man pretending to be ICE agent allegedly handcuffed California construction workers, demanded ‘court fees’ [More]As stated before, you never know when you might have to prove you had reason to doubt authenticity...
With police decals that meld into the cruiser’s white paint job and emergency light bars that are concealed on the inside of the windshield, these police cars — unless you look closely — could be mistaken for just another Ford Taurus on the road, giving impaired drivers a false sense of security. [More]Or giving unimpaired drivers legitimate justification for suspecting they're about to be victimized by Fauxnly Ones and reacting accordingly.
He was arrested and later released on bond. [More]Something this outrageously creepy seems a pretty good indication that a thorough custodial candidacy evaluation is in order before just opening up the cage.
Investigators allege a central Missouri man already facing rape and kidnapping charges posed as a law enforcement officer to force a woman to perform a sex act. [More]How's a girl supposed to know?
He turned on emergency lights and chased a car until it crashed, police say. One problem: he's not a cop [More]Be aware of how many such stories there are -- this is just a small sample I never intentionally set out to compile. You never know when your defense might be you were afraid your assailant might be a fake.
Robbers dressed as lawmen to steal $30,000 in jewelry, police say [More]Be aware of how often this happens, because you never know when you might need to prove that we have good cause to suspect all entering our homes by force.
Latta proceeded to search the victim, touching her breast and groin area over her clothing. Authorities said Latta then told the victim she wasn't going to arrest her, but to leave the bar and never come back. [More]I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but why does she look like she could grab a sheep in her talons and fly away?
Alorton Mayor facing several charges for impersonating an officer [More]At least the voters knew what they were getting.
This 19-year-old wants to be a cop — so he hacked into the police computer system, officers say [More]His instincts to take what did not belong to him were right, but he committed the cardinal sin of getting caught.
“Even though I have not found where either officer violated any policies or procedures, his demeanor does cause me discord with our standard of community policing. I expect the utmost professionalism out of my officers at all times." [More]I like the part where Dean asks how he can know Reynolds is a real police officer.
Woman posed as out-of-state deputy to help boyfriend escape jail, officials say [More]And the dopes fell for it.
For over a year, an Ohio man posing as a federal agent and bounty hunter kidnapped people for reward money, according to federal prosecutors. [More]I do hope you're aware of all these, just in case you ever need to legitimately raise doubt as a defense.
A Fredericksburg, Virginia, man is being held without bond after police say he followed a woman through three states in a car which looked like it was a police cruiser. This is not the first time Jerry Saintvil, 28, has been charged with impersonating a police officer. [More]So how is it someone who can't be trusted without a custodian is allowed unfettered access to those who can be?
Police impersonator with handcuffs and a stun gun pulled over woman in KC, she says [More]As always, be aware of how widespread this phenomenon is in case you ever need to bring reasonable doubt up as a defense.
The victims contacted police after they said Thompson alleged a traffic violation and made several threatening statements. [More]After looking at this mug's mug, I'd say the person he was posing as was Stumbo.
Man arrested on suspicion of impersonating law enforcement officer -As I've noted before, it wouldn't hurt to be aware of The Fauxnly Ones Files. You never know when an "I was afraid he might not be a real cop" defense could use some validation that it's a widespread and frequent enough phenomenon to be a legitimate concern.
Lloyd Chang, 61, accused of trying to pull over several vehicles [More]
But under modern jurisprudence, when the police barge in you’re likely to carried by six and then judged wanting by one: You’ll die in the face of overwhelming firepower, and your estate’s case will be tossed right out of court by a judge.[More]Especially considering all those "Fauxnly Ones" examples I've compiled here without even trying.
“They are not police officers. They are given limited police authority,” Quinn said. “They’re not supposed to take them off mall premises, not unless they’re given some authority other than what they’re given by their license, no.” [More]So would you call that a reversal of "snatch and grab"?
Abdullah Rashid, 22, a Georgia native who moved to Cedar-Riverside last year, has been making the rounds in the Somali-dominated neighborhood, telling people not to drink, use drugs or interact with the opposite sex. If he sees Muslim women he believes are dressed inappropriately, he approaches them and suggests they should wear a jilbab, a long, flowing garment. And he says he's recruiting others to join the effort. [More]He was "arrested as a juvenile ... for impersonating a police officer" and "initially said he was working with Minneapolis police"? That's a young man with some serious control issues, that is, a need to control others because he's incapable of fixing himself.
Questions like if they have an alarm system and if all the windows were locked. [More]And what the PIN is, and if there are any guns...
Valley Fair mall guard pulled gun on shopper for hitting traffic cone, lawsuit alleges [More]Too bad this came to light -- I sensed a promising future in the big leagues.
US reality TV star Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint at a luxury residence in Paris by at least two men dressed as police officers, her publicist and police say. [More]Assuming this isn't an insurance scam, this is a pretty good illustration of why there are no safe spaces where bad things like this can't happen. That's why even homes in the best of neighborhoods have fire extinguishers.
Dekalb County Sheriffs and Atlanta police warn that the threat of home invaders impersonating police is a real threat. [More]You're aware of this archive, right? You never know when you might have to prove you had reason to doubt authenticity...
A police impersonator tried to pull over an off-duty officer early Thursday morning, police said. [More]Be aware of these, and how often they've been documented, if for no other reason than the phenomenon may help with a legal defense claim some day.
A man previously convicted of pretending to be a police officer is accused of trying to conduct a traffic stop on an actual Akron police officer. [More]As I always recommend, be aware of these stories. You never know when you may need to rely on them.
Police said the ruse did not work Saturday night because the 31-year-old woman asked to see someone in uniform. But authorities cautioned that the man, whose car was equipped with a rotating red dashboard light, did show a badge when he pulled over her vehicle. [More]Everybody knows why it's important to be aware of these, right?
The King County sheriff's office says at least four masked men forced their way into a home near Kent Thursday morning shouting that they were police. [More]Have you saved this link, just to make sure you have plenty of examples to point to in case you ever need them for your defense?
According to the police report, the renter responded to a knock at the door and the suspects told her they were with the East Point Police Department. [More]Thank goodness they were only Fauxnly Ones. Had they been real Only Ones, things would not have ended well.
Officers think the ATF inspector hoped that his employee badge would fool them when he flashed it at them and said, “That was my badge.” [More]Thank goodness. When I read "ATF inspector," I was afraid he flashed something else.
Authorities say two armed men posing as law enforcement officers forced their way into a home in Orange Cove Sunday night and exchanged fire with the homeowner. [More]I'm tellin' ya, be aware of these stories in case you ever need to use an "I believed they were imposters" defense.
A man calling himself “Officer Franklin” is posing as a federal agent to rob people on the South Side. [More]That's the place to do it alright...
Kirolos Abdel Sayed, 19, an auxiliary police officer, and his two buddies, Frank Santanastaso, 19, and Matthew Kirsheh, 20, allegedly strolled into the Staten Island Mall just after midnight and flashed a badge so they could get into a GameStop, cops said. [More]I don't know what the powers of an auxiliary police officer are supposed to be, but the authoritarian little punk had the right attitude to go far until this...
The contention of Marshal Matt Wiggins, that “We were clearly the police. She can't say she didn't know,” notwithstanding, The War on Guns Blog has documented many instances of criminal home invasions done under the guise of being law enforcement raids. A companion category to its “Only Ones” files (dispelling the myth that police are the only ones who can be trusted with guns) titled “Fauxnly Ones” provides numerous examples from news accounts over the years. [More]Today's Gun Rights Examiner report notes the real ones hardly seem any better than the fakes...
Fake cops break into home with guns [More]So how are we supposed to know and respond accordingly again?
Someone who may be posing as a police officer is pulling cars over on Mississippi highways and then shooting drivers dead, authorities said. [More]The Fauxnly Ones...they're not as unheard of as some may think.
ATF paid for the motel room where the woman was sexually abused, according to police records obtained by The Seattle Times. Only months before the assault, the records show, a concerned Seattle police officer spoke to an ATF agent on the phone after Jackson had reportedly flashed a badge during the "help the officer" incident. The agent vouched for Jackson. [More]Hey, what's a little Ike Turner-ing among colleagues?
Would it be dismissed as “irony” if he were not one of the exalted “Only Ones,” treating gun laws as they apply to himself “with a mischievous laugh”? [More]Today's Gun Rights Examiner column looks at a "Fauxnly One" and an authority-worshiping "Authorized Journalist"--are there any other kinds?
Five men dressed as HPD officers burglarized a home near downtown Houston on Monday. [More]Bookmark this link--you might need it as a defense some day.
A TSA official said the badge and uniform represent "the professionalism of our employees and the seriousness of our work." [More]Costume = Reality. Good grief, we used to do that when we were little kids--a towel becomes a cape, hold your arms out in front while you run, go "Whhhsssshhh...." through your teeth and suddenly you're Superman.
'Hangover' actor who plays CSI Las Vegas police officer 'pretends to be real cop to get sex' with hotel masseuse [More]He was probably just getting into character...
Brothers accused of impersonating police officers...[More]Like I always say, keep this link handy in case you ever need the defense that there are so many copycat incidents that a reasonable man can never be sure...
The bill makes some exceptions, for example prohibiting deadly force if the person entering a home is a law enforcement officer acting in his or her official capacity. [More]Sorry. I know I lead a peaceable life that does not warrant an official home invasion.
Detroit Police are searching for some fake cops who are kicking down doors and robbing and terrorizing people in their own homes. [More]These stories often prompt "What's the difference?" comments.
Tampa men posed as cops, tried to pull woman over, authorities say [More]Remember that the next time some "Only One" decries armed citizens using the excuse that a cop arriving on scene won't be able to tell who the bad guy is.
Jailer suspected of letting boyfriend use badge, gun and uniform in robbery [More]
3 men posing as ATF agents break into home, kill resident [More]But your honor, I guess I've read so many news accounts about the "Fauxnly Ones" that I reacted instinctively in self-defense when they attacked me...how was I supposed to know, when anyone can get a badge--and it's not exactly like they were behaving any differently...
...the father grabbed his gun. [More]Seems like the appropriate thing to do. Those of us who know we're not engaged in predatory criminal activities would have no reason to suspect anyone trying to forcefully get into our homes would be real law enforcers, or if they were that they would be acting lawfully, so the default would most probably be to repel them.
A Wilson man and woman were shot by a man who invaded their home posing as a sheriff's deputy. [More]I'm tellin' ya, keep track of stories like these. You just may need to defend yourself some day and corroboration that your fears weren't unfounded can't hurt.
Two men brandishing weapons, fake badges and handcuffs claim to be cops as they kick down a door and enter a family's home. [More]Which means if I ever survive a home invasion I'll want to make sure my lawyer knows how many documented fake cop incidents have been reported so he can make sure the jury understands my motives for resisting.
New Orleans Police say look out for a man impersonating a police officer -- uniform and all!! He's preying on women and getting bolder by the crime. [More]Insidious. How are we to know? He not only looks like a Big Easy "Only One," he acts like one, too!
"I woke up everyday with the intention of, 'Hey, I'm really doin' some great things here.' And I fed off of it and I enjoyed it. And you know, I slept good at night. I really did. I thought, man, 'I'm putting drug dealers out of business,'" he tells Couric.What a loser.
A man impersonating a police officer pulled a gun on a Gillette woman Thursday morning after stopping her on State Highway 259 between Midwest and Interstate 25...It's getting harder and harder to tell the legitmate highwaymen apart from the fake ones these days...
Thursday morning's incident is the third in less than a week in Natrona County involving someone who approached a driver while apparently posing as a law enforcement officer.
When Gene Angelino pulled a motorist over for a parking violation Wednesday night, he broke the first rule of impersonating a police officer:I never understood the compulsion some otherwise inconsequential men have for donning a uniform and presuming authority over others. Conversely, I think we all should wannabe "Only Ones," that is, sovereign individuals acting as preservers of peace and guardians against evil violence in our communities--just like the Founders intended.
Don't pull over a real officer.
A troubled ex-NYPD cop, who stocked an arsenal of weapons in his suburban home, was charged with impersonating an officer after he used a phony badge to pull over a Long Island driver who cut him off, police and the suspect's lawyer said yesterday.And with NYPD enforcing citizen disarmament, we can't even lift a finger against him...
