C. WELLINGTON TWP. – The OPP has again received a report about a possible phony police officer stopping vehicles.
OPP Constable Keith Robb reported that on Sept. 14 at about 2:45pm, police were called about a suspicious person.
Robb said the victim reported she was driving southbound on County Road 7 south of Elora at around 2pm when she came upon what she believed to be an unmarked police vehicle. As she approached the vehicle, which was parked at the side of the road, it activated blue and red emergency flashers.
Robb said the victim pulled to the shoulder and was approached by a lone male who was wearing dark clothing (navy pants and navy shirt with dark stripes on the chest and shoulders). The man advised the victim that she was speeding and could pay $80 cash to avoid the demerit points.
His vehicle is described as a grey mid-sized vehicle with tinted windows and equipped with blue and red flashing lights to the front and rear.
Robb said the OPP is warning motorists of precautions that they can take if they are unsure if a person stopping them is a police officer.
“First, you may call the local communications centre directly to confirm if it is a police officer,” he said. “All police officers must carry a warrant card and badge and must produce it upon request (even if they are in uniform).”
He added, “Police officers never ask for payment for a violation; they just issue an offence notice which would indicate where you pay your fine and how much it is.”
Police ask anyone with information about this or other incidents that might assist the police in solving the crime to call the provincial communications centre at 1-888-310-1122 or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or submit a tip on line at www.crimestoppers-wellington.com.
