By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Counties across the region are experiencing issues of people getting pulled over by individuals impersonating law enforcement officers.
Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says recent instances of this in Clinton and Dekalb counties are still under investigation.
Puett says thankfully we don't see this often in Buchanan County.
"We do see that every once in a while, there's somebody that decides that they're going to do this and they think it's a good idea, and often times it's for really bad reasons," Puett explains. "And so, we want people to be safe."
Puett says if you are pulled over by an unmarked vehicle that seems suspicious, the best thing to do is comply and follow the person's instructions.
"If they're uncomfortable, the best thing to do is tell them say I'm very uncomfortable, with this, I would like to go a more populated area or a lit area, I would like you to call a marked car, some of those things," Puett tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr.
Puett says a real law enforcement officer will not deny those requests especially if they know they are aware they are in an unmarked vehicle and attire.
Puett says if you get pulled over by a vehicle that may seem suspicious to keep an eye on the demeanor of the person pulling you over.
"Especially if they're in a t-shirt or they're not dressed in uniform and their demeanor is different than you might consider a normal professional demeanor," Puett says. "That might lead you to say hey can you call another car."
Puett says thankfully his department has not seen any recent issues of this in the county but has in the past and has taken care of it.