A man has been charged for impersonating a North Vancouver RCMP officer.
In a statement on Thursday, police said they were made aware of a man driving a Ford F-150 that had pulled over a Tesla driver on March 1, 2025.
During the interaction, the F-150 driver allegedly identified himself as a North Vancouver RCMP officer and it’s alleged that his vehicle had lights that resembled emergency vehicle lights, police said.
On March 4, the man was arrested by police and released with a pending court date. They also seized the man’s vehicle.
During their investigation, police determined there could be additional victims who were pulled over by the same man and asked them to come forward by issuing a press release. At least one other victim came forward, police said.
On June 24, prosecutors charged Wayne Peter Church, 58, of North Vancouver with impersonating a peace officer and using equipment likely to cause the public to believe he was an officer. He has his first date in court July 23.
What to do if a fake police officer pulls you over
Police are offering tips to anyone who thinks they've been pulled over by an impersonator.
“Public safety is our top priority, and we want to ensure the community feels empowered to question suspicious behaviour,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, North Vancouver RCMP spokesperson.
“If something doesn’t feel right during a traffic stop, trust your instincts and take steps to verify the officer’s identity. Your caution could help prevent further incidents and assist in ongoing investigations,” he said.
Police carry official badges with photo ID cards displaying their regimental number. You can ask to see this identification.
If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of the stop, call 911 immediately. Provide your location and express your concerns. The dispatcher can verify if an officer is conducting a traffic stop in your area, RCMP said.
If something feels off, tell the person that you’re contacting police to verify their identity. Real officers will understand and support your caution, according to the RCMP.
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