Mistaken Identity????

[O2guy]

I would agree some sort of identyfing mark not just words would be useful. I have seen people wear t-shirts that say police on them or other LE agency names. I would hate to have my safety rely on just words on a shirt, rather than a more identifiable product. Just sayin

 

[ProLibertate]

You have to admit though...it's kind of hard to hide in the dark with those 8" white reflective tape letters on your back and chest.

It might as well just be this...

Ours aren't reflective, they are just white embroidered velcro patches, but yes... I agree about it being a potential target.

 

[ProLibertate]

I would agree some sort of identyfing mark not just words would be useful. I have seen people wear t-shirts that say police on them or other LE agency names. I would hate to have my safety rely on just words on a shirt, rather than a more identifiable product. Just sayin

What could possibly be more identifying than that shirt?!? A neon sign on a dayglow green background?

 

[ProLibertate]

I don't really know what happened here.

But all I can say is, anybody who puts on grungy clothes, masks, and walks into a bar where 1%'ers are hanging out, carrying guns in their hands, is looking for a gunfight, whether they realize it or not. That's the kind of thing rival club members do when they're looking to shoot a few people, or thugs do when they're looking to commit a robbery. Not only would a gunfight be predictable, I would flat expect one.

I'm not saying cops have to walk around in dress uniforms, but I AM saying they should look like cops. If you want to dress like a thug, and act like a thug, don't be surprised when you get treated like the thug you're pretending to be.

+1

 

[public servant]

I would agree some sort of identyfing mark not just words would be useful. I have seen people wear t-shirts that say police on them or other LE agency names. I would hate to have my safety rely on just words on a shirt, rather than a more identifiable product. Just sayin

Log onto ebay and see how many police type uniforms, patches and badges anyone can buy.

I mean...what's more identifiable than a police officer in full uniform...right?

My guess is the look-out at the bar was going to shoot no matter who tried to gain entry.

"I didn't know it was the real po-po" is just a defense.

 

[O2guy]

What could possibly be more identifying than that shirt?!? A neon sign on a dayglow green background?

I guess that every one wearing those are Police, FBI,ATF,ect?
Not sure just curious, found those in 30 sec google search.

 

[Joe Williams]

snip
I still hold to my last posting, that if SWAT is called out, it's not usually that much of a shock to the suspect... They usually know that committing felonies brings with it the potential for police wanting to have a chat with them...

Unless, of course, you are hitting the wrong house. Happens, ya know.

 

[XMil]

My guess is the look-out at the bar was going to shoot no matter who tried to gain entry while charging at him wearing a ski mask and holding a gun.

"I didn't know it was the real po-po" is just a defense.

FTFY

 

[ProLibertate]

I guess that every one wearing those are Police, FBI,ATF,ect?
Not sure just curious, found those in 30 sec google search.

Nope. But I guarantee you that if I see someone wearing one that isn't an LEO, they are going to jail wearing matching steel bracelets for impersonating.

FYI, anyone can buy a "full police uniform" too... There is no 100% fool proof answer.

 

[Joe Williams]

Nope. But I guarantee you that if I see someone wearing one that isn't an LEO, they are going to jail wearing matching steel bracelets for impersonating.

FYI, anyone can buy a "full police uniform" too... There is no 100% fool proof answer.

Since when is wearing a shirt a crime? There's no legal reason to make an arrest merely for wearing a shirt, since in and of itself that doesn't meet the elements required for the crime of impersonating an officer.

 

[rmabrey]

Nope. But I guarantee you that if I see someone wearing one that isn't an LEO, they are going to jail wearing matching steel bracelets for impersonating.

And that charge doesnt have a snowball's chance in hell of sticking

 

[rmabrey]

Since when is wearing a shirt a crime? There's no legal reason to make an arrest merely for wearing a shirt, since in and of itself that doesn't meet the elements required for the crime of impersonating an officer.

IC 35-44-2-3
Impersonation of a public servant
Sec. 3. A person who falsely represents that the person is a public servant, with intent to mislead and induce another person to submit to false official authority or otherwise to act to the other person's detriment in reliance on the false representation, commits impersonation of a public servant, a Class A misdemeanor. However, a person who falsely represents that the person is:
(1) a law enforcement officer; or
(2) an agent or employee of the department of state revenue, and collects any property from another person;
commits a Class D felony.

 

[sparky241]

Care to explain your opinion?

in other words police need to be in a uniform showing that they are police. Anyone can get a shirt that says police on it or army bdu's.If you barge into my house in the middle of the night unannounced wearing street cloths and a ski mask i'm going to assume you are there to do me harm. It doesnt matter if you yell police or jimmy crack corn and i dont care. police need a uniform designating them as police.

 

[PatriotPride]

You get that way after a while of being ridiculed and demeaned.

The general public knows exactly what you are talking about. It would appear we are on equal ground.

LOL! I see where you're coming from, brother. But, my department's "black ninja pajamas" say "POLICE" in 8" tall white letters on the front and back. A suspect would be hard pressed to convince anyone that he didn't know we were the fuzz...

Besides, many people seem to be overlooking the fact that if the SWAT team is at your house, it's not for a speeding ticket.

I understand your point. I can assure you that if someone busts my door down in a bid to gain entry into my home I will not be taking the time to see if they are wearing a "POLICE" patch on their black clothing. Combine that statement with the fact that many times an entry team's tactics render the occupant of the home UNABLE to identify who is entering the home (by careful design) and you have a HIGH potential for dead police officers. That's a simple fact. Seeing a readily identifiable STANDARD police uniform will cause me to comply, anything else will be met with force.

One must also not overlook that there are many instances in which SWAT teams have served a warrant at the wrong residence, with disastrous results. I can assure you that if a police force were to attempt entry into my home, the result would be...unfortunate, as I do not engage in any criminal activity, and thus have no desire nor need for the police to enter my abode. My logical (and supported) conclusion would be to conclude that a home invasion was in progress, and my life was in peril.

It is my opinion that SWAT teams are too close to skirting the Posse Comitatus line. I'm sure I am not the only person who is disquieted at the notion that there is a paramilitary force that, in many instances, is barely held accountable, if at all. At the very least, reform is needed.

 

[PatriotPride]

And that charge doesnt have a snowball's chance in hell of sticking

That's fully understood. The point is to make you go through the process of being jailed and having to post bond, and their point will be made. Plenty of ways to traumatize a person while knowing full well the charge will be dismissed

 

[rmabrey]

That's fully understood. The point is to make you go through the process of being jailed and having to post bond, and their point will be made. Plenty of ways to traumatize a person while knowing full well the charge will be dismissed

and im sure plenty of other ways for a lawyer to make life hell for the department

disclaimer not saying i would try to sue over something like that cause i wouldnt, just wouldnt be worth the time to me

BTW: Im guilty of "Impersonating an Officer"

 

[ProLibertate]

And that charge doesnt have a snowball's chance in hell of sticking

It does, and it has. IF......
IC 35-44-2-3
Impersonation of a public servant
Sec. 3. A person who falsely represents that the person is a public servant, with intent to mislead and induce another person to submit to false official authority or otherwise to act to the other person's detriment in reliance on the false representation, commits impersonation of a public servant, a Class A misdemeanor. However, a person who falsely represents that the person is:
(1) a law enforcement officer; or
(2) an agent or employee of the department of state revenue, and collects any property from another person;
commits a Class D felony.
As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.4. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.57; P.L.6-1987, SEC.21; P.L.214-1997, SEC.1.

Rightly or wrongly (I won't debate that here), wearing a Tshirt with POLICE or some other similar LEO reference is a protected speech under the 1st Amendment.
In the situation at hand, we are talking about "mistaken identity" and how to identify good guys vs. bad guys.
If the reason someone is wearing a police shirt is to pass themselves off as or identify themselves in any way as a "good guy" or a law enforcement officer, they are committing a Class D Felony under the above statute.
The arrests have been made. The charges have been filed. And the offenders have been convicted.
Some of you may recall, there was a case here in Marion County earlier this year where this happened. I'll try to link to an article when I find it.

 

[rmabrey]

It does, and it has. IF......
IC 35-44-2-3
Impersonation of a public servant
Sec. 3. A person who falsely represents that the person is a public servant, with intent to mislead and induce another person to submit to false official authority or otherwise to act to the other person's detriment in reliance on the false representation, commits impersonation of a public servant, a Class A misdemeanor. However, a person who falsely represents that the person is:
(1) a law enforcement officer; or
(2) an agent or employee of the department of state revenue, and collects any property from another person;
commits a Class D felony.
As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.4. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.57; P.L.6-1987, SEC.21; P.L.214-1997, SEC.1.

Rightly or wrongly (I won't debate that here), wearing a Tshirt with POLICE or some other similar LEO reference is a protected speech under the 1st Amendment.
In the situation at hand, we are talking about "mistaken identity" and how to identify good guys vs. bad guys.
If the reason someone is wearing a police shirt is to pass themselves off as or identify themselves in any way as a "good guy" or a law enforcement officer, they are committing a Class D Felony under the above statute.
The arrests have been made. The charges have been filed. And the offenders have been convicted.
Some of you may recall, there was a case here in Marion County earlier this year where this happened. I'll try to link to an article when I find it.

Yes I have no doubt that a BG kicking in your door screaming police and wearing that shirt would be charged and convicted with impersonating an officer and them some. Joe Schmo at wally world buy milk and eggs minding his own business would not

 

[Joe Williams]

It does, and it has. IF......
IC 35-44-2-3
Impersonation of a public servant
Sec. 3. A person who falsely represents that the person is a public servant, with intent to mislead and induce another person to submit to false official authority or otherwise to act to the other person's detriment in reliance on the false representation, commits impersonation of a public servant, a Class A misdemeanor. However, a person who falsely represents that the person is:
(1) a law enforcement officer; or
(2) an agent or employee of the department of state revenue, and collects any property from another person;
commits a Class D felony.
As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.4. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.57; P.L.6-1987, SEC.21; P.L.214-1997, SEC.1.

Rightly or wrongly (I won't debate that here), wearing a Tshirt with POLICE or some other similar LEO reference is a protected speech under the 1st Amendment.
In the situation at hand, we are talking about "mistaken identity" and how to identify good guys vs. bad guys.
If the reason someone is wearing a police shirt is to pass themselves off as or identify themselves in any way as a "good guy" or a law enforcement officer, they are committing a Class D Felony under the above statute.
The arrests have been made. The charges have been filed. And the offenders have been convicted.
Some of you may recall, there was a case here in Marion County earlier this year where this happened. I'll try to link to an article when I find it.

But merely wearing the shirt doesn't meet any of the elements for the crime. You stated you would arrest somebody for merely wearing the shirt. Since you clearly know the law, having just posted it, you are stating that you will willfully break the law and violate the rights of American citizens. Is that really what you think being a police officer should be doing?

 

[HandK]

What about these!! Can I wear them!!