Being stopped by someone impersonating a police officer can be a frightening and dangerous situation. Here are some tips on how to handle it:
- Trust your instincts. If something seems off about the person pulling you over, like they’re driving an unmarked car or not in a police uniform, be cautious.
- Put your hazard lights on and slowly pull over in a well-lit, public area if possible. Avoid pulling over in isolated areas.
- Stay in your locked car with the windows only partially rolled down until you can verify the person is an actual police officer.
- Ask to see the person’s badge and identification, held up to the window so you can inspect it carefully. A real officer’s badge will have their name, badge number, and often the police department’s seal.
- If you still have doubts, tell the person you will pull over but would like to call 911 to confirm they are legitimate before stepping out of the car.
- If the person becomes aggressive or you fear for your safety, refuse to get out of the car and call 911 from inside the locked vehicle.
- Drive to the nearest police station, well-lit area, or busy place if they claim to be police but you are certain they are not.
The key things are trusting your instincts, remaining in your locked car, requesting identification, and being willing to remove yourself from an unsafe situation until real police arrive. Your safety is the top priority.