38 year old fake cop pulls over undercover officers in Auckland

A 38 year old man impersonating police pulled over an unmarked patrol car in south Auckland on Saturday night, only to discover the vehicle was carrying two real officers. The man was driving a stationwagon fitted with flashing red and blue lights when he signaled the plain clothes officers to stop, believing he was conducting a legitimate traffic pull over. Inspector Kerry Watson said the officers were immediately suspicious. "Our officers were perplexed and quickly clocked the car was not police official," he said. When the unmarked car stopped, the man realised his mistake and attempted to flee the scene. Police said the escape attempt was unsuccessful and he was quickly detained. Watson said the situation went beyond impersonation. "It's bad enough that this person thought it was OK to impersonate a police car," he said. "It's even worse to see impaired and dangerous driving." The man is charged with impersonating a police officer and excess breath alcohol, and is due to appear in court on Christmas Eve. The Policing Act 2008 makes such impersonation a criminal offence.