By: Kara Szymanski | Shelby-Utica News | Published January 11, 2023
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Police Department has received reports of someone in the Rochester and Shelby Township area who has impersonated a police officer and made false traffic stops on vehicles.
The department put a post on its page at crimewatch.net to describe what legitimate Shelby Township police officers wear and what legitimate Shelby Township police vehicles look like.
“We want you to be aware and to know this is what we look like at the Shelby Township Police Department. Our Officers drive fully or partially marked vehicles. The lights are blue and white or red, white and blue,” the post reads. “We wear dark blue uniforms and most of our Officers wear exterior vests. On that vest is a badge and nametag with Shelby Township Police on the arm patches.”
Sgt. Mark Benedettini, of the Shelby Township Police Department, explained what to do when one has doubts about the legitimacy of a traffic stop.
“If at any time you are being pulled over by the police and have concerns whether or not it is a real police officer attempting to pull you over, we suggest you pull over to a lighted area, such as a gas station or convenience store. You can also call 911 from your cell phone, and it will be routed to the city you are driving in, and they can confirm whether it is indeed a real police officer that is attempting to pull you over,” he said.
The police-impersonating suspect reportedly drives a sedan that is dark in color. He is described as a white man in his 30s who is approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall and is slender. Police said that he wears clothing that appears similar to a police uniform, but he doesn’t wear a nametag or radio.
As of press time, Shelby Township police said that none of the impersonator incidents had occurred within Shelby Township’s borders. There is an investigation underway, and anyone who has information is asked to call the Shelby Township Police Department at (586) 731-2121.