A security guard who pretended to be a police officer to pull a woman over in a country lane in Wiltshire has avoided jail.
Wannabe cop Chris Green, 32, driving a Ford Fiesta at approximately 30mph in a 60mph zone when a woman driver ‘felt uneasy’ and overtook him.
Moments later, Green overtook the woman with blue lights illuminated in his vehicle.
Believing that she was being stopped by the police, she pulled into Longsplatt in Box, near Corsham.
Green exited his vehicle and confronted her at the window of her car – telling her that she was driving dangerously.
During the incident on 6 May last year, she asked where he was from and he replied with words to the effect of: “I work for law enforcement, a local undercover crime unit The Brotherhood”.
He proceeded to walk around the vehicle, looking around it.
When he noticed that her child was also in the car, he was said to change his tone and immediately drove away.
The victim said the stop felt “bizarre and weird” and said she “felt uncomfortable” throughout the interaction.
Police later arrested the defendant in Chippenham on 8 May.
When officers arrested him, a blue LED light bar, handcuffs and a baseball bat were seized from the vehicle.
Green, a security guard who was working at the Badminton Horse Trials, denied that he had intentionally caused the woman to think he was a police officer.
He was convicted as his trial at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 9 May, and appeared for sentencing today (Friday).
The defendant, of Nero Place, Peterborough, was sentenced to six months custody, suspended for two years. He is also required to pay £620 costs and a £154 surcharge.
Detective Inspector Matt Smith said: “This is a very concerning and unsettling incident for the victim involved, who had every reason to believe she was being stopped by a genuine police officer.
“Fortunately, Green left the scene and the victim immediately called the police, which allowed us to locate Green quickly and arrest him.
“We appreciate the significant community impact that incidents like this have, particularly for women.”
He added: “If you do have concerns over whether an officer you are dealing with is genuine, there are quick steps you can take to check their identity.
“You can either call us on 101, or if you feel it is an emergency then call 999.
“Our officers will always understand if you wish to verify their identity with Wiltshire Police control room.
“I’d also ask anyone who thinks they have been victim to a similar incident to please call us on 101.”
Wiltshire Police also offers a simple verification process – to the public which will allow them to confirm that an officer is on duty.
All officers can proactively offer to carry out a verification check to anyone they engage with who appears concerned for their safety or vulnerable by putting their personal issue radio on loudspeaker and asking a member of our control room to confirm who they are and that they are on duty.
This check can also be requested by any concerned member of the public.
