They wrote to police departments to set up meetings but raised suspicions when they were unable to explain their

An aide for California Attorney General Kamala Harris and two others have been arrested for claiming to represent the 'Masonic Fraternal Police Department' - a fake organization.

Brandon Kiel, 36, was arrested last week on suspicion of impersonating a police officer along with David Henry, 46, and Tonette Hayes, 56, after Los Angeles authorities discovered they'd set up the fraudulent police department, complete with weapons, badges, uniforms and patrol cars.

The suspects, who claimed to be descended from the Knights Templar, were allegedly running the organization to protect Masonic interests, and wrote letters to various law enforcement agencies informing them it had jurisdiction in 33 states - and Mexico City.

California police were told that the MFPD had been 'in existence for 3,000 years'.

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Accused: Brandon Kiel (pictured left), 36 - an aide to state Attorney General Kamala Harris - and Tonette Hayes (pictured right), 56, have been arrested for impersonating officers

Arrest: David Henry, left in his 'police' uniform and right in his mug shot, had also claimed to be from the Masonic Fraternal Police Department - but LA officers have now established the organization is fraudulent

After the arrests it emerged that Kiel, who is also accused of misusing his government identification, is an aide to state Attorney General Kamala Harris, the Los Angeles Times reported.

He is employed as the deputy director of community affairs at the California Department of Justice but an office spokesman told the LA Times that Kiel is now on administrative leave.

Phony: The group had claimed it is 3,000 years old and could enforce the law in 33 states

The department said it had no comment.

Authorities say that the investigation began when letters were sent out to police chiefs in California announcing new leadership in the group. Kiel was described as 'Chief Deputy Director.'

Phone calls were also made asking to set up in-person meetings with police.

Sheriff’s Capt. Roosevelt Johnson, who leads the department’s Santa Clarita Valley station, met up with the group and raised the alarm when they could not answer basic questions about the organization.

The suspects were unable to properly explain what their jurisdiction or mission was, police said.

The group's website claims that its supposed age sets it apart from regular law enforcement agencies.

It states: '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.'

It added: '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.'

Connection: One of the suspect, Brandon Kiel, is an aide to state Attorney General Kamala Harris, pictured last year. A spokesperson said he had been placed on administrative leave

However, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Station established that the MFPD was fraudulent.

Two Santa Clarita addresses associated with its members were raided. Police found badges, ID cards, weapons, uniforms and police-type weapons, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Authorities said that they believe the trio were 'attempting to deceive individuals in the community…for a purpose yet to be determined'.

They were arrested on Thursday and have since been released.

A neighbor told the news channel that he thought it was a legitimate group.

Sherry Elgabalawy said: '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.'