C.G.S. § 53a-130a – Impersonation of a Police Officer

Impersonation of a police officer under Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-130a is a crime that is not commonly charged. It involves situations where someone pretends to be a police officer with the intention to induce another person into believing that they are a police officer. This statute does not criminalize the use of party costumes. In order to be convicted of this crime the accused must be proven to have acted with the intent to gain some advantage by impersonating a police officer.

To be convicted of impersonation of a police officer in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-130a, the state has to prove the following elements of the crime:

1. The defendant pretended to be a police officer or used a police badge or uniform; and
2. The purpose was to induce a third party into submitting t the defendant’s authority or to rely upon the representation.

A man sees someone driving like a maniac and is concerned that this reckless driver ay injure an innocent bystander. The man turns on a flashing red light he carries in his car and pulls over the reckless motorist. When the man approaches the reckless driver he tells him that he is a police officer and he should “slow the fuck down” or he is “going to give him a ticket.” The man could be charged with a violation of C.G.S. § 53a-130a because the man was impersonating a police offer and the third party acted in reliance upon the claimed authority of the man by pulling over.

A woman decides to wear a police officer uniform and badge as part of a Halloween costume. On her way home from the party the woman is pulled over for DUI. The woman could not be charged with a violation of impersonation of a police officer in violation of C.G.S. § 53a-130a because she did not attempt to get any third party to submit to her authority or act in reliance of her being a police officer.

A man is pulled over for speeding by a police officer. When the officer approaches his window to ask for his license and registration the man asks the police officer to give him “a break because I am on the job.” On the job meaning that he is a police officer. This man could be charged with impersonation of an officer in violation of C.G.S. § 53a-130a because he wanted the police officer to think that he was also a police officer in order to avoid getting a speeding ticket.

• Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-167c - Assault of a Public Safety or Emergency Medical Personnel
• Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-167a - Interfering with a Police Officer
• Connecticut General Statutes § 14-223 - Failing to Stop when Signaled or Disobeying Direction of Officer

It is important to obtain all of the discovery materials from the state’s attorney and review any body camera footage of the incident. Often, the best defense to the charge of impersonating a police officer is to claim that it was just a prank or a joke and that the accused lacked the intent to convince anyone that he was a police officer. Every case is different and driven by the particular facts. Often, there is no video of the incident and it is a case of he said / she said. In these situations, it is very important to carefully go over the alleged victim’s statement to find any inconsistent assertions. Since this crime requires the intent to induce another person to act in conformity with the accused’s requests the best defense is often to negate the element of intent.

Many individuals who are accused of this crime could get the case dismissed without having to admit guilt or take the case to trial by using a diversionary program. Some examples are the accelerated rehabilitation program or the supervised diversionary program both of which could result in the dismissal the charge and an expungement of your arrest records.

Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-130a - Impersonation of a Police Officer is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

At Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer, we fight hard to achieve the best possible outcome for every client. You are presumed innocent and deserve an aggressive criminal defense to protect your rights. We are determined to provide all our clients with five-star customer service and exceptional representation. If you have been arrested for impersonation of a police officer contact our Stamford criminal law firm today at (203) 357-5555 or you can contact us online for a prompt response.