Recent Officer Impersonation Incident Has Oklahomans Looking Closer

Recently, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol received reports about a possible impersonator near Stroud, Oklahoma. They are asking for the public's help to find a black Nissan Titan with a mounted light bar. As of now, they have confirmed if they've found the vehicle.

Officers are also aware of drivers' skepticism, especially in the Stroud area. Understandably, it can be difficult to tell if someone is trying to impersonate an officer. But if you do suspect someone guilty of impersonating a law enforcement officer, you should handle the situation carefully.

Here are some tips from professionals on how to handle a stressful situation, dealing with a possible impersonator.

Alarming signs to look for if you suspect someone of impersonating an officer.

It's instinctual for most of us not to question authority. And sometimes, when you have that pit in your stomach telling you that something is off, you might be tempted to just brush it off as stress of being pulled over.

But, if you look closely, there are several small signs that can lead to the big picture: someone is not who they say they are.

Some things you should look for are:

• No proper identification; badges appear plastic, flimsy, or fake.
• Unprofessional behavior or appearance. Officers are trained to handle situations with calmness and clear communication. They also should have well-maintained uniforms, a working radio, and clear indicators of the department they work for.
• Suspicous vehicle. Unmarked vehicles will likely still be equipped with things like a cage or divider in between the front and back seats, mounted computer in the passenger seat, and professional lights.

OHP urges drivers to pay close attention to their interactions on the road.

The OHP suggests has a few suggestions for how to handle a situation with a possible impersonator. First, drivers should call 911 to confirm the legitimacy of the stop. Likely, if an actual officer has you pulled over, they've notified dispatch of their actions before talking with you.

They also recommend that drivers should take notes of details of the vehicle that the impersonator is driving - it's model, make, color, markings, additions like light bars and mirrors. Don't forget to make a note about their own clothing - badges, city names, colors, etc.