Man Pretended To Be Police Officer For More Than 20 Years, Authorities Say

[Old Fart]

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (AP) — A funeral home worker was arrested in Washington state after police said he pretended to be a retired officer for two decades and recently intervened in a fight.

Authorities became aware of suspect Jim Bailey last month after he tried to break up a dispute between a couple in a car by identifying himself as a retired cop and telling a witness to call 911, Oak Harbor Police Chief Edgar Green said.

An investigation determined the 69-year-old Bailey had been pretending to be a retired officer for more than 20 years, the chief said. Impersonating a police officer is a gross misdemeanor in Washington.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/...-officer_n_5857034.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

 

[Sanford]

I've been wondering about this since I read it. Legally, does "retired police officer" = "police officer"?

 

[ignerntbend]

I used to play a retired police officer on TV. It was a character imagined by an autistic child.
I think that gives me authority here.

 

[SMS]

I've been wondering about this since I read it. Legally, does "retired police officer" = "police officer"?

Seems to me they would have to have a valid commission in order to be legally considered an LEO.

 

[Kyle78]

Once your retired, you no longer have any type of police powers...so I'm not sure how they would charge him.

 

[Shootin 4 Fun]

I wonder if he ever shot a dog.

 

[BadgeBunny]

I've been wondering about this since I read it. Legally, does "retired police officer" = "police officer"?

I hope not ...

 

[Old Fart]

I hope not ...

Ha!!! I bet you do, just free & clear.

 

[Sanford]

Once your retired, you no longer have any type of police powers...so I'm not sure how they would charge him.

Yeah, that was my question. "Impersonating a private citizen who was previously a policemen?" Or maybe just for "pretending" he had authority he didn't have? Would they charge a "real" retired policemen for doing the same thing(s) this guy did?

No argument the guy's something of a fool for doing what he's been doing, but whether or not he broke the law seems a bit muddy.

 

[Dangdar]

I think retired LEO's can carry anywhere, but I might be wrong.