The Dallas Police Department has seen a noticeable rise as of late of individuals posing as members of the department in order to cut through heavy flows of traffic.
Not only will these fake cops bust out red and blue lights to escape a traffic jam, there have been instances where these fake officers have actually pulled other drivers over!
While the idea of skipping through a ton of traffic is definitely appealing, Dallas PD warns that “impersonating a police officer,” a third-degree felony, carries a heavy sentence of 2-10 years in prison if convicted.
If you believe you are being pulled over by a fake officer, WFAA listed a series of the steps you should take to ensure your safety:
If it's an unmarked car, turn your blinkers on, drive the speed limit, and call 911. Ask the dispatcher to verify that the car trying to pull you over is an actual officer.
If you don't have a phone handy, park in a well-lit, busy area like the parking lot of a grocery store.
DO NOT stop your vehicle until the dispatcher confirms that an officer is really pulling you over. If they can't confirm, stay on the call and ask for real police to help. You can also drive to safe place like a police department.
Additionally, Dallas PD says that if you ever see anything “suspicious,” don't wait to report it.
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