Police Impersonation Charge Laid

kc dyer
Jul 18
2 min read

North Van Man accused of posing as RCMP officer

The BC Prosecution Service has laid charges against a North Vancouver man who is accused of posing as an RCMP officer in an incident last March.

On March 1, the driver of a Tesla reported being pulled over by a Ford F-150, which flashed lights that resembled those on emergency vehicles. The driver of the truck allegedly identified himself as a North Vancouver RCMP officer.

The Tesla driver contacted the actual North Vancouver police service, and shortly afterwards, the driver of the truck was arrested and charged.

RCMP report that during the course of their investigation, it was determined that additional victims may have been pulled over, and they ask that anyone else who may have experienced a similar incident to step forward.

Late last month, Wayne Church of North Vancouver was charged with personating a peace officer and using equipment likely to cause the public to believe he was a peace officer contrary to Section 130 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

North Vancouver RCMP spokesman Corporal Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer offered the following tips if you suspect you have been pulled over by a police impersonator:

Verify identification: Police carry official badges with photo ID cards displaying their regimental number. You can request to see this identification.
Contact authorities: If uncertain about the legitimacy of the stop, call 911 immediately. Provide your location and express your concerns. The dispatcher can verify if an officer is conducting a traffic stop in your area.
Trust your instincts: If something feels amiss, inform the individual that you’re contacting the police to verify their identity. Genuine officers will understand and support your caution.

"Public safety is our top priority, and we want to ensure the community feels empowered to question suspicious behaviour," Sahak said in a statement. "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."

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