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Amherst police said a woman tried to exchange a pack of cigarettes at the Sunoco station on Leavitt Road, flashed a badge and told the clerk she would be arrested if she didn’t comply ... Rodriguez, of Lakewood, said she worked for a private security company and the badge she had is actually her concealed carry permit.
Oh really? Sure looks like a badge in the image they show. Apparently Ohio has finally given in and started issuing CCW badges instead of white plastic cards.
So here's my question, who's error is this? Is this a reporter's error or is this like the guy down in Columbus who assumed he had a concealed carry because he worked for a security company?
It looks like one of those "CCW Badges" sold @ Heartland or Sportsman Guide. That might be what it is. Someone posted that link on here and when I viewed the ad, it came in a badge holder looking much like what was pictured in the article.
My side question is, I know it is more than silly to have one of those badges and obviously big trouble awaits you if use such a prop to impersonate a cop...but is it actually illegal to OWN that badge or even carry it on you (as long as you didn't flash it to pretend to be a real LEO)? I mean if this woman in the article had not broken any law except for speeding and when the cop whole pulled her over saw it in her purse, could she be fined/arrested for impersonating an officer just by having in her possession?
Whatever she had, it was a bad move on her part.
U.S. Army 1968 - 1971
5th SFGA, 1st SF
Republic of Vietnam, March 1969 to May 1971
dcludwig wrote:
My side question is, I know it is more than silly to have one of those badges and obviously big trouble awaits you if use such a prop to impersonate a cop...but is it actually illegal to OWN that badge or even carry it on you (as long as you didn't flash it to pretend to be a real LEO)? I mean if this woman in the article had not broken any law except for speeding and when the cop whole pulled her over saw it in her purse, could she be fined/arrested for impersonating an officer just by having in her possession?
Generally speaking, no. I've got a wallet sized badge from the fire department I work for. A few times through the years, observant (nosy) LEOs have seen it when the wallet was in my hands as I was paying for something or other. A couple of them tried to make an issue out of it, saying "You could be arrested for impersonating a police officer!" More or less told them to stop trying to be supercops and buzz off, nothing further was said/done.
Nowadays I use a duplicate regulation size badge in a leather holder worn around my neck on a chain. Obviously it stays out of sight unless I stop to help at a car crash or the like while off duty. So far no one has told me I could be arrested for impersonating Sonny Crockett.
Quit worrying, hide your gun well, shut up, and CARRY that handgun!
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1911 and Browning Hi Power Enthusianado.
Anyone, including a peace officer, who "badges" another for his or her own personal gain, should be punished.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life."
-- Robert A. Heinlein, Beyond This Horizon
"Remember that protecting our gun rights still boils down to keeping a majority in the electorate, and that our daily activities can have the impact of being ambassadors for the gun culture ..."
-- BobK Open carry is a First Amendment exercise.
Brian D. wrote:Generally speaking, no. I've got a wallet sized badge from the fire department I work for. A few times through the years, observant (nosy) LEOs have seen it when the wallet was in my hands as I was paying for something or other. A couple of them tried to make an issue out of it, saying "You could be arrested for impersonating a police officer!" More or less told them to stop trying to be supercops and buzz off, nothing further was said/done.
My EMS badge often sits in the cupholder of my truck and LEOs have seen it numerous times. None have ever said anything about me impersonating an officer, probably because they're familiar with the statute.
”Impersonate” means to act the part of, assume the identity of, wear the uniform or any part of the uniform of, or display the identification of a particular person or of a member of a class of persons with purpose to make another person believe that the actor is that particular person or is a member of that class of persons. (emphasis added)
Merely having the badge doesn't make you guilty of anything. You have to do something to play the part and it has to be a deliberate act to make someone believe you're a cop.
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The Constitution shall never be construed … to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.
-- Samuel Adams
Tweed Ring wrote:I think the error falls completely on those people who violated the law.
Short, sweet, to the point. I'll give the lady the benefit of the doubt and categorize her as a poor idiot rather than a criminal. We'll see what the justice system thinks about her.
Rhino wrote:Merely having the badge doesn't make you guilty of anything. You have to do something to play the part and it has to be a deliberate act to make someone believe you're a cop.
I'm thinking that otherwise a LOT of people running around with "SHERIFF", "FBI", "CIA" T-shirts and windbreakers would be in a whole mess of trouble...
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Political tags - such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth - are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.
Robert A. Heinlein
Brian D. wrote:So far no one has told me I could be arrested for impersonating Sonny Crockett.
Might I suggest a clean Smith & Wesson 645, or a Bren Ten?
Or a 1972 Ferrari Daytona?
I like to swap brass... and I'm looking for .32 H&R Mag, .327 Fed Mag, .380 Auto and 10mm. If you have some and would like to swap for something else, send me a note!
Given the media's ability to screw stuff like this up, the gal may have been certified as a Security Guard, and while there are rules about off-duty carry, the security badge could be interpreted as a "license"....
Still very stupid behavior....
Reagasl
Stu.
(Why write a quick note when you can write a novel?)
(Why do those who claim to wish to protect me feel that the best way to do that is to disarm me?)
Its kind of strange, usually there is the same clerk there at that marathon there at Cooper Foster and Leavitt 58 and he strikes me as pretty intelligent and street smart. I don't know if he was working that night but would surprise me if he fell for any shenanigans. I've talked to him in small conversation's.
Btw. I wear 3 badges plus I keep one in my wallet that Identifies me as a "Luna, Moon Law Enforcement Division" .. .
My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. - JFK
wkdravenna wrote:Btw. I wear 3 badges plus I keep one in my wallet that Identifies me as a "Luna, Moon Law Enforcement Division" .. .
But you ain't got no stinkin badge.
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The Constitution shall never be construed … to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.
-- Samuel Adams
