The OPP has “no idea” why there are people pretending to be police officers and stopping motorists to check their essential worker status during the coronavirus pandemic.

So far, Wellington County OPP has released information about two suspects, including one who has already been arrested and charged, but Const. Cheri Rockefeller says there certainly could be more than one impostor still out there.

“There are other people that have had these same experiences. We cannot rule anything out at this point,” Rockefeller told The Banner.

“It’s bizarre,” she explained. “We have no idea why. Are they wannabes? Are they power tripping? Are they doing it for other sinister reasons? We have no idea.”

Police have released details about two separate and unrelated incidents with different suspects and vehicles occurring in Fergus and Puslinch on April 14 and 17 respectively. A-25-year-old Puslinch man has been arrested in connection to the April 17 incident.

The OPP is advising the public that police are not conducting random traffic stops to check motorists’ work status during the COVID-19 pandemic, nor are drivers required to prove they are an essential worker to police.

But what can someone do if they feel uncomfortable or suspect they are being approached by a phoney police officer? Here is what the OPP recommends:

If you feel you’re being stopped by a someone impersonating a police officer and fear for your safety, call 911 and provide your location.

Do not get out of vehicle.

Lock your door.

Crack your window low enough to pass your licence and registration.

Ask the officer for further identification (i.e., badge).

Ask them to call dispatch on their radio in front of you to verify that the officer is not fake. Ask for another officer to attend that location.

“Your go-to is always call 911 if you fear for your safety.” Rockefeller said. “If you call 911, you are going to get more police cars there and you’re going to know if it is a real police officer.”

If someone driving in a largely rural area feels something isn’t right and doesn’t feel comfortable stopping, what can they do?

“If they are too fearful to pull over, they can always dial 911 and then go hands free. If you can do so safely and go hands free, that is obviously what we recommend.”

Other points to consider when being pulled over include:

Slow down, put four-ways on or signal to let the officer know you see them. Drive to a well-lit area with people around if possible.

Be observant: Is the officer wearing a full police uniform or a plain clothes officer with a badge? Is he or she professional looking as opposed to unkempt?

What does the police vehicle look like? Is the cruiser equipped with proper emergency equipment or does it look old, broken down or like something bought at a police auction?

“A real officer will understand and respect why members of the public are apprehensive and being extra cautious at this point in time given what just happened in Nova Scotia,” Rockefeller said.

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“If you fear for your safety, absolutely, call 911,” she said. “You are not going to be criticized.”

Members of the public are asked to refer to either opp.ca, publicsafety.gc.ca or covid-19.ontario.ca for up-to-date information regarding restrictions under federal or provincial orders.

Any person with information on this incident or one of a similar nature is asked to contact the OPP 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.