CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The Clarksville Police Department is warning the public about a series of occurrences in a vehicle with occupants impersonating Clarksville police officers pulled over citizens.
In all three instances the victims described a white 4-door car that appeared to be a Pontiac Grand Am/Grand Prix, with a flashing red and blue light on the dash, approximately the size of a cell phone, according to a news releae. One victim said the vehicle had a front license plate with a “beach scene”.
The vehicle was occupied by two white males (one who was tanned, possibly Hispanic) wearing graphic t-shirts and khakis/shorts. They were in their mid-twenties, with military style haircuts.
The males approached drivers for various reasons, such as “speeding a little” or “the vehicle matches a description…”, and “rearview mirror being broken.” In some cases the men asked for drugs, money, or for the victims to change locations several blocks away from the location of the “stop” to more secluded areas.
One male presented a badge that is similar to the one worn by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, except it was a 5 pointed star instead of a 7-point star that the MCSO actually uses. The other male also had a portable radio, much like one that officers for both agencies do wear.
The males have identified themselves to victims as Clarksville police officers.
All known stops occurred in the area of Crossland Ave., Glen St., and Madison St.
One of the vehicles stopped by the suspects contained two jail deputies with MCSO.
According to Sandra Brandon, Public Information Officer for MCSO, the off-duty deputies are assigned to the Detention Division and were stopped while in their personal vehicle.
“Deputies working in the Detention Center are primarily responsible for the supervision, safety, and security of inmates, not enforcement and patrol,” Brandon said.
“When Detention Division Deputies are off duty and encounter an enforcement issue that does not require immediate action, they are trained to collect and recall information to pass along to the investigating agency. They are trained to intervene only in the protection of citizens from immanent bodily injury and life threatening situations, such as an active shooter, armed robbery in progress, kidnapping, etc.”
Should immediate enforcement action be required while off duty, Brandon said Detention Division Deputies are trained to notify E-911 and take the immediate and appropriate action necessary to deescalate the situation until Enforcement Division Deputies arrive on scene.
Deputies have provided detectives with a description of the event and suspects.
CPD Advises:
1. During a traffic stop, police will not ask you to move to a more secluded area. You may actually try to get to a well-lit area, if it is close as long as it is safe for both you and the officers.
2. When stopped by law enforcement, you can call 911 and give your location to check if a police officer has informed dispatch about a traffic stop at that location if you have concerns about the legitimacy of the traffic stop. This can also alert police to a possible Police Impersonation incident.
3. The Clarksville Police Department only uses blue lights.
4. Police officers always carry their department identification if you were to have any problems.