5

In the state of Connecticut, when a uniformed officer or officers approach, are they required to provide identification showing they are police officers upon request?

Anyone can buy a uniform off the internet and say they are a cop. My question specifically pertains to safety.

Tim Lymington
  • 4,620
  • 1
  • 16
  • 36
Ryan
  • 51
  • 2
  • I'm not sure what your question is.... you have question marks in places that makes what you're asking confusing. – Michael May 14 '17 at 20:25
  • Sorry. My question is:In the state of Connecticut, when a uniform officer or officers approach, are they required to provide identification showing they are police officers upon request? – Ryan May 14 '17 at 20:32
  • Probably in some circumstances, yes, and in others, no. – phoog May 14 '17 at 20:50
  • 1
    Which makes sense for an undercover not to blow it up like that. But a uniform cop is a little different. There is no way to tell from appearance if the uniform officer is a cop or a psycho "cabin by the lake" imposter. – Ryan May 14 '17 at 20:53
  • I found this https://www.lawadvisor.com/questions/do-police-officers-have-to-identify-themselves-if-asked And https://www.google.com/amp/boingboing.net/2015/02/25/think-you-have-the-right-to-de.html/amp. – Ryan May 14 '17 at 21:26
  • Particularly related: https://law.stackexchange.com/q/5563/10 ... and many more related questions linked from this one. – feetwet May 15 '17 at 17:32
  • 6
    I'd ask something slightly different: If a man or woman is dressed in a police officer's uniform and claims to be a police officer and therefore to have special rights, what can you ask for them to give as evidence, and at which point can you assume they are not a police officer? – gnasher729 May 15 '17 at 18:50
  • Don't American police officers carry a wallet with their photo ID card and shiny badge? They do on TV. –  Jan 20 '21 at 15:22

1 Answers1

6

This is a no win situation. People who try to stop in a safe public place fearing that the cop may be an imposter risk prosecution for resisting arrest. But, no one will offer you any remedy if the cop was an imposter who was victimizing you.

One recommended course of action if you doubt a cop is real is to call 911 as you pull over to confirm that the cop trying to pull you over is real.

Trish
  • 39,097
  • 2
  • 79
  • 156
ohwilleke
  • 211,353
  • 14
  • 403
  • 716