The Observation Deck

To:The Safety Director, Acting Police Chief, Law Director

Does Lakewood have a response to a mock or faux law enforcement activity perpetrated by individuals wearing mock military equipment with generic "Police" identifications?

Stan Austin

While this might seem to be a hypothetical = how can an individual protect his life right now at 4:53 PM 7/19/2020?

Stan Austin wrote:While this might seem to be a hypothetical = how can an individual protect his life right now at 4:53 PM 7/19/2020?

Are you watching Fox News, reading the police blotter, or something else? This is a little "out of the blue" for you, Stan.

I'd.suggest concealed carry, but you say tbey would be. masquerading as police. There's always the old Bronx solution, keep a baseball bat by the door. (If you're serious, so am I. I may still have the bat from when I lived there 40+ years ago.)

Stan Austin wrote:To:The Safety Director, Acting Police Chief, Law Director

Does Lakewood have a response to a mock or faux law enforcement activity perpetrated by individuals wearing mock military equipment with generic "Police" identifications?

Stan Austin

I just learned about what has been going on in Portland.

I am going to raise this issue again-with a twist. Most of the recent attention as gone sky high hypothetical with the Mayors and Attorneys General offering opinions.
Let me get it down to the nitty gritty. Lakewood Police Officer on patrol==you come across an individual(s) dressed in garb from Dick's Sporting Goods. They have a patch that says Police. They have weapons----guns?tear gas?lethal?. Are these normal, regular crooks taking advantage of a new disguise opportunity? Or are these "federal" agents?
What do you, Lakewood Police Officer do?

By coincidence I had just finished reading a book involving impersonating law enforcement.
It was "Clownfish Blues" by Tim Dorsey.
The Protagonists intercede at police standoffs. They are wearing windbreakers with the words "Hostage Negotiator" on them.
The police believe them, but start the phone calls. So multiple state and federal law enforcement officers show up.
Maybe the guys in vans have windbreakers with the word "Contra" on the back of them.

ryan-- thanks for the post but I am really serious about putting this out for community discussion

Stan,
I need some context. Are you talking a hypothetical, albeit a likely hypothetical,, or are you talking a real or imminent case history? A home invasion or a societal takeover? Portland or somethong else?

Stan Austin wrote:I am going to raise this issue again-with a twist. Most of the recent attention as gone sky high hypothetical with the Mayors and Attorneys General offering opinions.
Let me get it down to the nitty gritty. Lakewood Police Officer on patrol==you come across an individual(s) dressed in garb from Dick's Sporting Goods. They have a patch that says Police. They have weapons----guns?tear gas?lethal?. Are these normal, regular crooks taking advantage of a new disguise opportunity? Or are these "federal" agents?
What do you, Lakewood Police Officer do?

From what I've gleaned from a Google search, these unidentified armed invaders are only wearing patches. They do not have any hard identification. Yet, they are armed.

A federal employee would have rank over a local police officer, but yet.... how is the local officer to know if he/she is being conned by an impersonator?

Now, if a Lakewood police officer was to get to a scene before the unidentified armed invader', the local officer would have jurisdiction. (Though, that could be overturned.)
This is providing, that the invaders really are federal agents.

The 'armed' part is disturbing. What if the unidentified armed invader decides that he doesn't like the looks of someone and initiates a situation, that then accelerates.

The LPD arrives, but are told to back off, as the 'feds' are in charge.

Hmmm, yes..... this is a problem.

I was going in a slightly different direction. Let's say you had a weapon for self-defense purposes. Then let's say you calculate it would be worth using against the arrned invaders. What ID must they show to prove they are law enforcement and, if they don't, to justify your actions?

police training generally involves some ability to recognize the credentials of various state and federal law enforcement agencies. and whatever rules to follow when working with them. There are usually protocols for federal or state law enforcement agencies to contact the local chief or sheriff when conducting operations.
Depending on how often local police have to interact with state and federal law enforcement agencies or get refresher training, they may be hazy on the rules.

the 9th grade civics class and 12th grade U.S.Government class went over the branches of government and various law enforcement agencies. Like most people, I don't remember most of it. PBS could be a good venue for...endlessly repeating 9th grade civics and 12th grade U.S.Government class.

ryan costa wrote:There are usually protocols for federal or state law enforcement agencies to contact the local chief or sheriff when conducting operations.

"usually" is the key word here. Lest we forget who currently occupies The White House!