28/22 NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The recent arrests of two men for allegedly posing as police officers have prompted law enforcement agencies to issue a warning to area residents to know what their legal rights are if they encounter a person claiming to be a police officer.
It could be a challenging situation: You are being pulled over and you're not sure why, but complicating matters further, you are not sure if the person pulling you over is indeed a police officer.
Hazleton City Police recently arrested Jose Miguel Santos for allegedly posing as a police officer and telling a woman she could be arrested for posting a "no Trespassing" sign on her property.
Wilkes-Barre Township police charged Angel Abreu-Nunez after he allegedly said he was an off-duty police officer when they pulled him over for driving a vehicle with a fake license plate.
During that traffic stop, they found police identification and a badge for two police departments that he no longer works for.
Butler Township Police Chief Bill Feissner offers this advice if you are pulled over and are not sure if the person pulling you over is indeed a police officer.
"Any type of identification that the person might have, or any type of numbers, they can also call 911 and verify if that officer is on a traffic stop in that area," Chief Feissner explained.
Chief Feissner says a nighttime traffic stop is an entirely different dynamic.
So what should you do?
"At nighttime, pull over in a well-lit area. If they're trying to stop you, put your four-ways on, slow down, and pull over in a well-lit area. Check for any numbers that you might see on the car," Chief Feissner continued.
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Again, call 911. Chief Feissner says a police officer will understand your concerns.
"Well, what I would do if I was, not sure I would get my phone and call 911," Linda Joseph with the Rolling Mill Hill Neighborhood Association said.
Joseph heads up the Rolling Mill Hill Residents' Association.
"Most of the time, obviously, it will be authentic and it will be a real officer, but it doesn't hurt to check for our own safety," Joseph stated.
Again, as Chief Feissner said, police officers will understand your concerns.
