Brandon Kiel ran fake police force, California investigators claim. Masonic Fraternal Police Department members were arrested in Los Angeles for impersonating law enforcement. Three people claimed they were members of the Masonic Fraternal Police Department and even produced badges, uniforms, patrol cars, and weapons to prove their authenticity.

The alleged Masonic Fraternal Police Department members included David Henry, 46, Tonette Hayes, 56, and Brandon Kiel, 36. Kiel is reportedly an aide to state Attorney General Kamala Harris.

The Masonic Fraternal Police Department (MFPD) suspects reportedly claimed to have been descended from the Knights Templar. The three individuals were allegedly running a fake police department in Los Angeles in order to “protect Masonic interests.” Members of the group allegedly wrote letters to a multitude of law enforcement agencies. In the letters, the Masonic police maintained that the group had formed jurisdiction in 33 states – and Mexico City.

The California police officers in charge of the case were reportedly told that the MFPD had been “in existence for 3,000 years.” After the Masonic Fraternal Police Department arrests, investigators reportedly learned that Brandon Kiel had allegedly misused his government identification.

Kiel is employed as the California Department of Justice Deputy Director of Community Affairs. The alleged Masonic Fraternal Police Department member has now been placed on administrative leave.

An investigation into the MFPD was launched after the group sent letters to various police department chiefs in California to announce new leadership within the group. Brandon Kiel was noted as the new “Chief Deputy Director.”

Phone calls to schedule meetings between the MFPD and the California police chiefs were also reportedly placed. Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Captain Roosevelt Johnson reportedly met with Masonic Fraternal Police Department members and then “raised the alarm” when those assembled allegedly could not answer “basic questions” about the organization. The questions reportedly posed included queries about the group’s stated jurisdiction and their mission.

The Masonic Fraternal Police Department websites maintains that the alleged longevity of the group differentiates it from typical law enforcement agencies.

“When asked what is the difference between The Masonic Fraternal Police Department and other Police Departments the answer is simple for us. We were here first! We are born into this organization our bloodlines go deeper then an application. This is more then a job it is an obligation.We support all law enforcement agencies. Our mission is to preserve the integrity, honor and legacy of our Founding Fathers, Masonic Organizations, all Grand Masters and their Constitution/By Laws.”

Two separate locations associated with the MFPD in Santa Clarita were raided. Police found badges, ID cards, uniforms and “police-type weapons,” according to a CBS Los Angeles report about the raid.

“I always see them with their uniforms, so I thought they were part of any department. I didn’t know it was a fake one,” Sherry Elgabalawy, a neighbor to one of the raided addresses, said about the group.

California police believe that the Masonic Fraternal Police Department was created in an attempt to “deceive individuals in the community,” but the purpose of the alleged deception is not yet known.