Dear Editor,

The most recent report of a citizen being robbed and beaten by people impersonating the police in an unmarked car is worrying.

Best wishes for the victim’s speedy recovery, and for the equally quick apprehension of the perpetrators.

Although the police force has warned citizens to be cautious of these impersonators, they haven’t really offered any real suggestions as to how we should respond when these situations arise. The lack of suggestions is even more confounding when you realise that very many real policemen go about their daily duties fully masked, with their badge numbers concealed.

So, in the absence of some guidelines from the police force, here are my suggestions of how citizens should respond to an attempted pull-over by an unmarked car.

Try to verify identity of who’s trying to pull you over, and if unsure, call 911, drive to nearest police station or some other brightly lit public space with other peoples around. Do not stop!

During the daytime it is relatively easy to verify the identity of who is attempting to pull you over. You should be able to see easily if the car belongs to someone you know, or if it is a marked police car with roof lights and other markings on the vehicle.

Verifying the identity of who is attempting to pull you over becomes more difficult at night. If you don’t easily recognise the car as belonging to a friend, or as a marked police vehicle, then indeed it may be an unmarked police vehicle.

Now this might be tougher to spot, but most unmarked police vehicles carry a yellow licence plate; not all. Either way, day or night, if you are unable to verify who it is that’s trying to pull you over, here is my suggestion for a safe and appropriate response:

1) Slow to a moderate speed.

2) Put your flashers on and signal by waving from the driver’s window for them to follow you.

3) Call 1-1-9 and tell the operator that someone is trying to pull you over but you think they might be a police impersonator. Give your location and stay on the line.

4) Immediately drive to the nearest police station, or some other brightly lit public space with other people around.

5) If you can safely and quickly exit the vehicle, rush inside and explain the situation.

6) If you feel that you cannot safely and quickly exit the vehicle, then stay inside your car and be ready to drive away again if necessary.

What to do after the stop:

1) Be extremely wary of people shouting “Police!” even if they’re wearing what looks like police uniforms.

2) Look for/demand ID badges.

3) If you’re not satisfied they are indeed the police, try to drive away again; this time definitely to the nearest police station.

What to do if you’re a licensed firearm owner:

1) Make sure your firearm is secure and within reach throughout the entire event.

2) If shots are fired at you while you’re in your car, do not stop to try and return fire; driving away is much faster and safer. Definitely to the nearest police station.

3) If you’re able to verify that it is indeed police that are stopping you secure your firearm in your car, keep your hands and arms out in the open, comply with their commands.

Stay safe!

Sheldon Neil

Authorised firearm trainer

defsolja@gmail.com