Lethbridge man charged for impersonating an officer

Lethbridge Police have charged a 20-year-old man for impersonating a police officer following a traffic stop on Mayor McGrath Drive South.

Last Saturday, police pulled over a black Ford Explorer that was decked out with a push bar, light bar, red and blue lights, siren speakers and a “Police Interceptor” sticker on the rear of the SUV. The roof also had antennas like those on law enforcement vehicles.

Upon speaking to the driver, the officer noted an ignition override switch on the dash and toggle bars mounted to the centre console, capable of controlling the installed emergency equipment. There was also a search light mounted on the driver’s side of the vehicle and bars on the blacked out, rear passenger windows.

While purchasing a decommissioned police vehicle is legal in Canada, all decals, light bars and specialized equipment must be removed before the vehicle can be used on public roads.

Police say the driver had previously been pulled over, ticketed and directed to remove the equipment, was subsequently arrested and criminally charged.

Twenty-year-old Will Nicholas Waddell of Lethbridge is charged with personating a police officer. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 8^th.