Security guard arrested for impersonating police officer in Bremerton

The Bremerton Police Department arrested a security guard after he impersonated a police officer at an active police scene.

According to the department, the suspect arrived at an active police scene in an unmarked Ford Explorer with activated blue police lights. He approached the scene wearing body armor while carrying a gun.

“The male subject identified himself as an off-duty Edmonds Police detective and was wearing body armor with ‘POLICE’ and ‘SWAT’ logos as well as a metallic Edmonds Police badge,” the Bremerton Police Department stated. “After a follow-up investigation, BPD officers learned that the male was in fact not an Edmonds Police Officer, was a security guard for a nearby business, and had been committing law enforcement acts in the downtown corridor.”

Bremerton Police quickly determined he wasn’t an officer after doing a background check on him, discovering he was previously a convicted felon. Once officers determined he wasn’t a police officer, he was arrested and booked in the Kitsap County Jail under first-degree criminal impersonation and illegal gun possession charges.

Officers discovered the suspect possessed a large amount of police equipment.

If anyone has had suspicious encounters with this subject where he was impersonating or representing himself as a police officer, call Bremerton Police at (360) 473-5220.

What you can do if you suspect an officer is not legitimate

According to the Bremerton Police Department, you can do the following:
1. You can ask the officer for their name and badge number.

2. Call 911 and ask if the name and badge number given are valid.

3. Call 911 and request a second officer to the traffic stop.

4. Call 911 and verify with that an officer is in the area.

5. If being stopped, slow your speed, activate your signal, and pull over to a safe, well-lit area.

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