Person in Columbia impersonating police officer

(COLUMBIA, MO) - Recently, mid-Missouri has had reported incidents of people impersonating police officers. The evening of Saturday, March 3, a person impersonating a police officer pulled over a driver in Columbia.

The suspect impersonating an officer has been described as a white male, approximately 5'10" to 6 feet tall with short dark hair and a salt and pepper full beard. He was wearing a dark-colored uniform with a badge and duty belt and black square rimmed glasses. He was reported to be driving a dark-colored, full-size SUV with a yellow and red light bar and no other markings on the vehicle.

The Columbia Police Department recommends that if a driver is being pulled over and feels the person stopping them is not a police officer, they may continue to drive until they find a safe, well-lit location.  Drivers are also reminded to reduce speed, turn on their hazard lights and call 911 to report their suspicions.