Woman driver warns of fake cop

A WOMAN has claimed she was pulled over by a man impersonating a police officer while she was driving in Berwick earlier this month.
Angela Currie said she was driving on the Monash Freeway when she noticed a car with blue and red flashing lights travelling directly behind her.
Ms Currie, a nurse from Noble Park, thought the vehicle was an unmarked police car and immediately pulled over.
“I was in between the Berwick and Narre Warren turn-off on the freeway when I saw a car with its high beam lights on,” Ms Currie said.
She said a man, who was wearing a suit and tie, then got out of the car and calmly asked to see her driver’s licence.
The man then accused the woman of doing 115 km/h in a 100km/h zone and also having a tail light not working.
“He basically said he would let me off if I paid him $100 right then.
“I know police don’t operate this way so I asked to speak to his superior.”
Ms Currie said she then threatened to call triple zero. The man then retreated to his car and drove off.
“I just know it was a dark, new model car. The high beams made it hard to make out the exact type of car.”
She later reported the incident to police, but was told that there was little they could do with no registration plate details or a car description.
“He didn’t show a badge and he wasn’t trying to be intimidating at all. He was just trying to pose as policeman.”
Ms Currie said she had approached the News about the incident to warn other motorists.
“There are a lot of new Australians in the area and young drivers who may also get pulled over by the same person asking for money,” she said.
Sergeant Pat McGavigan from Casey Traffic Management Unit said Victoria Police does not accept cash or on-the-spot payment of any kind.
“If a person is stopped for speeding by an unmarked vehicle it will normally be by a member in uniform,” Sgt McGavigan said.
“If it is a member in plain clothes he or she is required to produce identification.
“If (a motorist is) in doubt of the vehicle intercepting them they should stop in a highly public place – as is the freeway.
“They should not keep driving and they should definitely not increase speed or commit other offences,” he said.
Sgt McGavigan said it was a serious offence to impersonate a police officer.
“If this occurs the person should attempt to get the registration number of the vehicle that intercepted them, a description of the vehicle and a description of the person and report it to the nearest police station as soon as possible.”