Will Nicholas Waddell, 20, of Lethbridge, is charged with personating a police officer.
Lethbridge Police are asking anyone who may have been “pulled over” – or attempted to be pulled over – by the operator of a vehicle outfitted to look like a subdued law enforcement SUV, to come forward.
On May 9, a member of the Traffic Response Unit observed a black Ford Explorer that appeared to be a police vehicle travelling along Mayor Magrath Drive South. The vehicle contained a “police interceptor” decal on the rear panel and was equipped with a spotlight, light bar, push bar, siren speakers and antennas similar to those on law enforcement vehicles.
A traffic stop was initiated and upon speaking to the driver, the officer noted an ignition override switch on the dash, toggle bars mounted to the centre console capable of controlling the installed emergency equipment and bars on the blacked-out rear passenger windows.
Following a news release May 12 in relation to the seizure of the Ford Explorer and a 20-year-old male charged with impersonating a police officer, additional information has come to light indicating the vehicle may have been used to conduct a fake traffic stop.
The driver, who was previously pulled over, warned, ticketed and directed to remove the equipment, was subsequently arrested and criminally charged. The vehicle was seized and towed to the police compound.
Will Nicholas Waddell, 20, of Lethbridge, is charged with personating a police officer. Waddell was released from custody on an undertaking to appear in court July 8.
The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone who may have been “pulled over,” attempted to be pulled over or witnessed the vehicle being used to conduct a traffic stop, to call 403-328-4444 and reference file 26008842.
In Canada it is a criminal offence for someone to falsely represent themselves as a police or peace officer, or use a badge, article of uniform or equipment, such as a vehicle, in a manner that is likely to cause persons to believe they are an officer.
In this case, while some of the equipment on the vehicle – such as the push bar – is not illegal in isolation, the totality and use of multiple items installed to make the SUV resemble a police vehicle, could cause the public to mistake it for law enforcement which constitutes the offence.
The Alberta Traffic Safety Act, Vehicle Equipment Regulation prohibits spotlights, sirens and flashing lights on civilian vehicles (unless permitted by the Act, i.e. lights on tow trucks, snow plows or oversized load escorts while they are operating in that capacity). The use of alternating red and blue lights is restricted to law enforcement vehicles.
