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...
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.
Log onto ebay and see how many police type uniforms, patches and badges anyone can buy.
What could possibly be more identifying than that shirt?!? A neon sign on a dayglow green background?
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...
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.
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.
And that charge doesnt have a snowball's chance in hell of stickingNope. 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.
IC 35-44-2-3Since 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.
Care to explain your opinion?
You get that way after a while of being ridiculed and demeaned.
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.
And that charge doesnt have a snowball's chance in hell of sticking
and im sure plenty of other ways for a lawyer to make life hell for the departmentThat'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 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.
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.