In Florida, Criminals Pose as Police More Frequently and for More Violent Ends

[AdamG]

Considering how often we see terrorists masquerading as cops in other countries, this is relevant.

In South Florida, seemingly an incubator of law-breaking innovation, police impersonators have become better organized and, most troubling to law enforcement officials, more violent. The practice is so common that the Miami-Dade Police Department has a Police Impersonator Unit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/us...imes&seid=auto

[davidbfpo]

In the UK we have had bogus police officers around for a long time, notably posing as police to gain entry to the homes of senior citizens, this for example:http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/...articleid=6067

There is a national intelligence unit, Operation Liberal, looking at bogus / distraction crime; it was Midlands based originally and has to request local resources for action.

Around London Heathrow Airport there was a few years ago a spate of bogus police vehicle stops IIRC, targeting high value loads.

Generally motorists are advised to drive to a police station (assuming you know where they are and are open) or a well lit public area, e.g. petrol station and then alight the car to speak to the officers.

[slapout9]

Considering how often we see terrorists masquerading as cops in other countries, this is relevant.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/us...imes&seid=auto

They are starting to use what they call low vsiability patrol cars in my area. Look like civilian cars until you get close. May add to the problem.

[Erick]

They are starting to use what they call low vsiability patrol cars in my area. Look like civilian cars until you get close. May add to the problem.

Am currently assigned to a team which drives lower profile cars - same make & model, different color though with all of the antennas, push bumper, low profile emergency lights. The courts have ruled them something to the effect of "readily recognizable as patrol cars."

Whether through intentional re-painting or because they just "got lucky" at an auction, a couple of our gang participants have showed up driving cars which are visually similar to ours - though not identical. Our team and a similar one at a neighboring agency are keeping a pretty close eye on these cars and their owners. We are concerned about the potential for these cars to be used as a ruse by one gang when initiating a violent assault on a rival set.

My agency has had a pretty policy (and practice) of being quite identifiable - individually - when involved in any enforcement actions - warrants, buy/bust, etc. Those dope rip crews we've encountered haven't had anything complete or consistent enough to match the actual clothing items our people use. However, their stuff is likely "good enough" to gain a window of several seconds or longer. That is more than enough in many cases - especially with what has happened in the Middle East and Mexico.

[davidbfpo]

AdamG,

Have a look at a US LE operation a few years back, Operation Safer Shield or similar - not trace Google. This looked at the use of LE shields / badges after incidents pre-9/11 IIRC of impostors boarding flights and discovered shall we say "migration" from genuine collectors to others.

[slapout9]

Am currently assigned to a team which drives lower profile cars - same make & model, different color though with all of the antennas, push bumper, low profile emergency lights. The courts have ruled them something to the effect of "readily recognizable as patrol cars."

Whether through intentional re-painting or because they just "got lucky" at an auction, a couple of our gang participants have showed up driving cars which are visually similar to ours - though not identical. Our team and a similar one at a neighboring agency are keeping a pretty close eye on these cars and their owners. We are concerned about the potential for these cars to be used as a ruse by one gang when initiating a violent assault on a rival set.

My agency has had a pretty policy (and practice) of being quite identifiable - individually - when involved in any enforcement actions - warrants, buy/bust, etc. Those dope rip crews we've encountered haven't had anything complete or consistent enough to match the actual clothing items our people use. However, their stuff is likely "good enough" to gain a window of several seconds or longer. That is more than enough in many cases - especially with what has happened in the Middle East and Mexico.

Nice post Erick.

[AdamG]

AdamG,

Have a look at a US LE operation a few years back, Operation Safer Shield or similar - not trace Google. This looked at the use of LE shields / badges after incidents pre-9/11 IIRC of impostors boarding flights and discovered shall we say "migration" from genuine collectors to others.

One of the photos of the Mexican cartel armored truck captured in May showed it parked right in front of a (police) uniform supply store. Jus' sayin'.