NIAGARA – More women are coming forward to the Niagara Regional Police to report being followed by a man impersonating an officer, although in one case, the man actually was an officer.

On Jan. 30, police received information about a black compact car driving at a high speed on Highway 20 near Smithville. An adult woman driver reported the car approached her car from behind, displaying a red dashboard light. The driver tried to direct the woman to pull over, but when she pulled into a nearby gas station, the man drove away.

The incident follows two earlier ones. The first incident was reported on Jan. 26 at around 11:30 p.m., when a woman parked on Carlton Street near Promenade Boulevard in St. Catharines was approached by a man. Claiming to be an officer, he patted the woman down, telling her he was doing a drug investigation. The man provided a false name and badge number but no identification.

News of the incident prompted a woman to report an incident that occurred on Jan. 22. At around 9:30 p.m., a woman was driving her vehicle along Michener Road in Port Colborne when she saw a black, two-door Honda car travelling behind her. As she approached Farr Road, the woman noticed a circular red flashing light over the vehicle's front dashboard. Believing it was a police officer, the woman pulled over to the side of the road. Once she stopped her vehicle, she was approached by a male who told her she had been speeding and requested that she exit the vehicle.

The woman noticed that the male was not wearing a police uniform and asked to see his police badge. However, he was unable to produce the right identification. This made the woman suspicious, and she drove away.

Police say they continue to investigate the incidents but have not confirmed they are all related or being committed by the same person. The fake cop reports is having an effect on legitimate officers. On Tuesday, Feb. 2, a woman was travelling on Decew Road near First Street Louth in St. Catharines when she noticed a black car behind her. The driver activated a red dashboard light, and the woman pulled over. The driver told the woman she had been speeding and asked to see her driver's licence. He then told her she could "carry on".

The woman reported the incident to police. The investigation determined an NRP officer actually did perform a traffic stop after observing an infraction. Police say the officer was in a dark unmarked car with full blue and red police lighting. They said he used full lighting to indicate the traffic stop and approached the vehicle wearing his police-issued uniform of the day. The officer cautioned the woman for her driving behaviour.

Police say he conducted himself in a professional manner during the course of his interaction with the woman.

The investigation into the remaining incidents continues.

Anyone with any information relating to either of these incidents is requested to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service St. Catharines Criminal Investigations Branch at 905-688-4111, ext. 4380, the Welland Division of the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, ext. 3300 or the Grimsby Division at 905-945-2211, ext. 5400

Information can also be submitted anonymously using Crime Stoppers of Niagara. To leave a tip, contact Crime Stoppers via telephone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS); online at www.niagaratips.com or by text message. Tipsters can text 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ‘Niagara’ followed by the tip. Crime Stoppers guarantees anonymity and tips which lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

• If the officer is in plainclothes, look for identifying clothing and equipment. If unsure, explain to the officer that you are unsure about the situation and ask them to display official department identification and badge. Ask where they work and if you can contact their dispatch center to confirm their identity. You may also request a marked patrol unit respond.

