By Canadian Press

Lumby, B.C., traffic stops were not carried out by police impersonator: RCMP

Apr 7, 2021 | 2:58 PM

LUMBY, B.C. — Mounties in British Columbia’s Boundary region say a public warning about a fake officer pulling people over led to four more people coming forward. 

However, police say they’ve since confirmed the traffic stops near Lumby were made by a real RCMP officer. 

Police say a review of each incident allowed investigators to determine the four stops were carried out by a traffic enforcement officer who was on duty, dressed in uniform and operating an unmarked SUV.

Insp. Jeff Dowling, officer-in-charge of RCMP Traffic Services in the southeast district, says the four complainants have been notified.

The RCMP say Mounties in Midway, southeast of Penticton, are still investigating a suspected police impersonation incident on Highway 33 where the driver of a truck activated red and blue lights to pull a person over last month. 

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Police said the person reported a six-foot-tall man approached him with a flashlight, but the victim sensed something was wrong and drove off, only to be followed by the fake police vehicle for several kilometres. 

Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said in a statement the RCMP is committed to sharing timely information in order to preserve public safety. 

“We are now assessing our processes to see if there is any way we can help reduce public uncertainty,” he said Wednesday.

“The impersonation of a police officer is a somewhat rare occurrence. If you suspect someone may be using or is planning to use real or replica police equipment, clothing or memorabilia to commit a crime, please report it.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2021.

The Canadian Press