Brighton Investigating Another Report Of Police Impersonator

BRIGHTON, Colo. -- Police are investigating another report of a man impersonating an officer pulling over a car driven by a woman on Interstate 76.

The latest instance occurred at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sgt. Paul White said.

The man drove a large, dark-colored sedan and wore dark blue uniform shirt and pants with a small badge but no gun belt or radio. White said Wednesday the woman was suspicious and refused to get out of the car.

The man was described as 30 to 35 years old, at least 6 feet tall with a muscular build, short brown hair and a tattoo on the back of his left hand.

On Friday, a woman reported a man dressed the same way driving a similar car pulled her over. She said he had a rotating red light on the dashboard.

But Brighton isn't the only city where there have been reports of fake cops pulling people over. It's also happening in Larimer County.

Just last week, Larimer County officials showed off real police badges to help people tell the difference. They said that an authentic badge typically includes the city or county's name on it and each officer should have a picture identification with them. If you're not convinced the person is an officer and you have a cell phone, call 911 to check with the dispatcher, authorities suggested.

State lawmakers are taking up the issue of fake cops. They've discussed increasing the penalties so anyone convicted of impersonating a law enforcement officer could be ordered to serve up to 18 months in jail and be fined up to $5,000. The House approved the bill on Wednesday and now the Senate will be discussing the issue.

The issue of fake cops was brought to the media spotlight in January when a 20-year-old University of Northern Colorado student was abducted and killed by a suspect whom police believe posed as an officer to pull her over.

Jason Peder Clausen, 22, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping in Miller's death.

Clausen, a former security guard, had a red-and-blue light installed on the dashboard of his white Ford Expedition, according to court records.