From the ACT Policing media release site:
ACT Policing is investigating an incident which occurred in Kambah yesterday (Thursday 3 December) at about 10.30pm.
A 28-year-old female was driving southbound along Namitjira Drive when she saw flashing red and blue lights coming from the vehicle behind her. She pulled her vehicle over near the intersection of Kambah Pool Road, believing it to be an unmarked police car.
A male approached the victim’s front window and asked her to exit and move to the rear of her vehicle. As the victim complied with the request, the male got into her vehicle and drove off in the direction of Drakeford Drive, followed by the vehicle from which he had originally exited.
The male offender is described as Caucasian, aged in his mid-20s, about 180cms (5’11”) tall, with a slim build and short light brown hair. He was wearing a black long sleeve collared shirt and black pants. The vehicle from which he initially exited is described as either a dark green Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon.
The victim’s stolen vehicle is a 2001 charcoal coloured Holden Commodore with ACT registration YDF15Q.
Anyone who is approached by a plain clothes police officer may request to see police identification or badge and warrant card to confirm their identity.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen a male or vehicle matching the above descriptions, or who knows the whereabouts of the stolen vehicle are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers website at www.act.crimestoppers.com.au.
Media enquiries:
ACT Policing
Media and Public Relations Ph: 02 6256 7460
Stories like this really piss me off.
Not the story, but what it is about. I wasn’t picking on your writing H1NG0.
Wow, a rather brazen method of motor vehicle theft, if the offender is caught they will be looking at some very serious charges for impersonating a police officer, hopefully someone this stupid though it won’t take long for the police to find them. Wonder if they tried this with any other vehicles before or if this was their first “attempt”.
That’s just weak. Not the story, but what it is about.
Probably the mob that robbed the Erindale TAB seeking another getaway car.
No offence taken. I didn’t write jack
I thought it was worth posting though as it is such a strange and cowardly act and this same douche is likely to try the same trick.
WTF? I didn’t put a smiley there.
A police friend of mine told me once that if you weren’t sure about an unmarked cars bona fides to call the police and ask them, if they are real they will tell you and if they aren’t the police love to get a head start on these kind of fools.
Any cops here agree with that advice?
well, they certainly have balls
It’s amazing Kambah topped the DUI count last year with real and fake cops patrolling the streets
It would be pretty rare to be asked to get out of your car during a normal traffic stop. If you’re pulled over by an unmarked car by someone in plain clothes, there would be nothing wrong with asking to see that person’s badge and warrant card to see if they are legit (showing the badge only does not prove they are legit).
If you’re really unsure, you could always do what Morgan suggests.
Chop71, not so much a case of balls, but knowing they won’t get much of a sentence when they’re caught, so to them, it’s worth the risk.
I expect this sort of report to appear in Scopes as an urban myth – but NO! It is actually REAL this time.
Anyone who is approached by a plain clothes police officer may request to see police identification or badge and warrant card to confirm their identity.
That’s all very well, but how do I tell a fake badge and warrant card from a real one? I’ve got no idea what they’re supposed to look like.
Morgan said :
If you do that, make sure you’re on the side of the road (with the keys out of the ignition!), otherwise you can be charged with using a phone while driving…
Scopes?
You mean snopes.com?
I’ll put in a second vote to be directed to a Warrant card and badge sample.
What is a warrant card actually, I am fairly confident I have seen enough police badges in my time to be able to spot a fake vs a real one, although if it was a convincing fake maybe not. I am not sure what exactly a warrant card is though, I was under the impression only their badge was required to be shown on request.
Side question to this (i meant to ask this in the article about the arrests from the new laws enabling undercover cops to sell drugs) does anyone know if an undercover officer is allowed to lie about being a police officer if directly asked, or if they must admit to being a police officer?
Would be great if a serving officer could point us to examples of badges and warrant cards though yeh.
The Warrant card is the AFP badge or insignia (like the one you see in the media and the AFP website) with a separate Identification card that states the person is a sworn member of the AFP. Similar to those you see on tv, the leather flip card thingy (technical term) the card does have certain security features like your drivers licence etc, Those are the things to look for.
Mordd said :
If an undercover Police officer is seriously asked if they are a police officer, they haven’t really done their job to well ….. lol
If a Police officer asks for your name and address, they are obligated (when asked by the person requested) to give their name and badge number.
If there is any doubt, call 131444 as they will have communications with members on the road. Most times, they will also know if you have been pulled over too.
The warrant card is the id plastic card bit of the badge (ie not the shiny bit half). Looks pretty much like a public service ID with photo, name, signature and holograms etc.
A warrant card is basically photo ID of the officer.
This link has a pic of an AFP badge. On the other side of the black badge holder is the warrant card.
http://www.afp.gov.au/about.html
Re your other question, you may be confusing undercover police with plain clothes police. Obviously an undercover officer is allowed to lie.
Drug dealer: “Hey, are you a cop?”
U/Cover cop: “Well, I, er, um…yes, yes I am.
*BANG BANG*
Morgan said :
More imoprtant question to any cops here, if you pull a vehicle over and approach the car and the driver has their window wound up and is speaking on their mobile phone, what is your reaction? Do you consider that theyre calling the police comms room to verify who you are, or do you presume theyre talking to their wife or BFF and simply being rude to you by not opening the window? I was once pulled over on Sulwood Dr very early in the morning, initiated near Erindale Dr. I continued to drive through the round-about towards Kambah before pulling up under a streetlight (as further up the road was dark). When the officer came to my car he asked why I didnt pull over straight away, I explained it was dark, he’d called for backup and I was alone in my car. The officer told me if I ever got pulled over again to pull over straight away or Im liable for not following a police order.
Maybe one solution to this problem, is to pass legislation that if an unmarked vehicle pulls you over, they MUST call for a marked vehicle for backup. One more story like this, and the police will find the number of people who obey directions from unmarked cars could drop dramatically.
I know this post is a bit old but how about if you ever get pulled over take the keys out of the ignition. Even after asking or ID.