State Patrol seeks information on suspected police impersonators
Washington State Patrol received eight reports of possible impersonators in Skagit County, though no confirmed incidents have been recorded in Island County.
By Adam Lin ·
The Washington State Patrol is requesting public information regarding individuals who may be impersonating police officers in Skagit County. The agency issued a warning on Friday, October 30, urging drivers to contact 911 if they doubt the legitimacy of a traffic stop. Dispatchers can verify whether an actual officer initiated the interaction.
Eight calls to 911 concerning possible impersonators were logged in Skagit County between January 1 and October 21. Trooper Kelsey Harding told My Bellingham Now that investigators have not yet confirmed how many of these incidents involved actual imposters rather than legitimate unmarked police vehicles.
The patrol initially described a Ford Crown Victoria with push bars in its initial alert. The agency later clarified that owning and driving a former police vehicle with such equipment is legal. Investigators are specifically seeking information on people who actively impersonate officers rather than those merely driving modified vehicles.
No police impersonation incidents have been reported in Island County, according to the State Patrol. Residents of Whidbey Island who encounter a suspected impersonator should call 911. Individuals with information about incidents on state highways in Skagit County can contact Trooper Ryan Thomas at ryan.thomas@wsp.wa.gov.
Source: South Whidbey Record
