Suspicious vehicle in northwest Calgary

The Calgary Police Service is currently investigating another report of someone attempting to impersonate a police officer.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, a man was driving along Ranchridge Drive N.W., when a vehicle approached from behind and activated red and blue lights in the front windshield.

The man pulled over and the suspicious vehicle pulled alongside him. The driver then warned him about speeding and then drove off.

The victim called police who circulated the area but were unable to locate the offender.

The driver of the suspicious vehicle is described as an Asian man, in his mid-twenties, with a medium build and dark hair.

There was also a passenger in the vehicle who is described as a Caucasian man, in his mid-twenties, with a slim to medium build and wearing a hoodie.

The vehicle is described as a silver sedan.

While the motive behind these incidents is unknown, impersonating an officer is a serious offence.

The law requires that people pull over when a police vehicle flashes its lights behind them. There are, however, a few things drivers should know to ensure their safety:

Almost all Calgary Police Service traffic stops are done in marked vehicles or in unmarked vehicles driven by police officers dressed in full uniform.

Marked vehicles always have red and blue lights on top, and the Calgary Police Service crest and word “POLICE” on the side. When conducting a traffic stop, the red and blue lights will be flashing, as will the vehicle’s headlights.

Unmarked vehicles have red and blue flashing lights built into the vehicle’s grill and interior. When conducting a traffic stop, the red and blue lights will be flashing, as will the vehicle’s headlights.

An officer not wearing a uniform may conduct a traffic stop in an unmarked vehicle, though this is extremely rare. Non-uniformed police officers are required to carry identification at all times (picture ID and a badge) and drivers have the right to ask for that identification.

If a driver is not sure about a vehicle pulling them over, they should immediately call 911.

A driver should never exit his or her vehicle during a traffic stop, unless they are asked to do so by a police officer.

When conducting a traffic stop, police officers usually approach the vehicle they have pulled over in a reasonably prompt fashion. They always identify themselves as police officers and they will never demand money.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call police at 403-266-1234

or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

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