North Vancouver man charged with impersonating RCMP officer
Police say a man has been charged after he allegedly pulled over a vehicle and claimed to be RCMP
North Vancouver police say a man has been charged with impersonating an RCMP officer.
The police department said they arrested the man earlier this year after he was reported driving a Ford F-150 with flashing lights like an emergency vehicle.
In a Thursday news release, North Vancouver RCMP said the driver had allegedly pulled over a white Tesla and identified himself as an RCMP officer.
An earlier news release in March said the driver was not wearing a police uniform, did not have any police equipment and did not provide police identification.
Now, Wayne Church of North Vancouver has been charged with personating a peace officer and using equipment likely to cause the public to believe he was a peace officer.
'Question suspicious behaviour,' say police
Police believe there could be additional victims who were pulled over by the same man.
"We want to ensure the community feels empowered to question suspicious behaviour," Cpl. Mansoor Sahak said in a news release.
"If something doesn't feel right during a traffic stop, trust your instincts and take steps to verify the officer's identity. Your caution could help prevent further incidents and assist in ongoing investigations."
RCMP recommend verifying police identification if you suspect you have been pulled over by a police impersonator. You can request to see an officer's badge with photo ID displaying their regimental number.
If you are still uncertain about the legitimacy of a stop, police recommend calling 911 immediately and expressing your concerns.
"The dispatcher can verify if an officer is conducting a traffic stop in your area.… Genuine officers will understand and support your caution," reads the release.