Grande Prairie RCMP warn of man posing as police officer

EDMONTON — Grande Prairie RCMP are warning residents to be on the lookout for a man posing as a police officer.

At around 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 7, police said a woman pulled her vehicle over on Highway 2 near Webster Road when she saw police lights flashing behind her.

Police said the man was in an unmarked vehicle and had flashing blue and red lights and a siren. Police said he approached the woman’s vehicle, asked for her documentation and asked her to get out of the vehicle, saying “it was cold outside.”

The man, who was not wearing a police uniform, did not provide a badge number or his name, according to RCMP.

The woman drove away and was not injured.

In a situation where a person identifies themselves as a police officer and makes unusual requests, RCMP recommend the following:

• Ask to see identification or other proof that they are in fact a police officer;
• Ask the police officer to have a marked police vehicle respond.

Should the person fail to comply with the requests, RCMP suggest telling the person you’re going to call 911 to confirm their identity.

The suspect in this case is described as Caucasian, tall, with medium length hair. He was unshaven and unkempt, wearing a heavy-duty work coat with black pants. Police believe he was driving an SUV.

Anyone with information about this man is asked to contact the Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment at 780-830-5701 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.