Police impersonator reported in Superior

The Superior Police Department is investigating a report of a man impersonating a police officer within the city.

A Superior woman called the 911 center early this morning to inquire about a traffic stop she had just had near the Superior Post Office, according to a police report. No records for such a traffic stop could be located for the Superior Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, or the Wisconsin State Patrol, according to a release by Deputy Chief Nick Alexander with the police department.

The stop occurred in the alley just to the east of the post office sometime near 1 a.m. The woman reported that a white male, about 6 feet tall, mid 30’s, with a light mustache and beard, approached her vehicle while it was parked in the alley. This male was wearing a Superior Police Department baseball cap, dark dress pants, and a navy blue T-shirt labeled “SPD.” The male identified himself as “Officer Darg” and claimed he was stopping the vehicle because it was suspicious to be in the alley. The woman did not see a police badge or firearm on this male. The male was driving a blue car, similar to a Chevrolet Lumina that had flashing blue and red lights in the dashboard area.

The male then asked for the woman’s driver’s license, proof of insurance and registration. She cooperated and provided the requested information to the male. The male proceeded to his vehicle and returned a short time later and claimed that the woman’s insurance was not up to date and then released her from the stop.

The Superior Police Department does not employ anyone named “Officer Darg” and has no records of any law enforcement officer making this traffic stop; therefore this traffic stop is considered to be an impersonating an officer incident and is currently being investigated, according to Alexander.

The Superior Police Department would like to advise citizens that a majority of vehicle contacts are initiated by marked police cars. The department does utilize unmarked vehicles but in all cases official police department officers will be in a uniform displaying the badge or in plain clothes displaying a badge and have a firearm, Alexander said. All legitimate officers would also present such credentials if not immediately visible or when asked.

If you suspect you have been stopped, or are being signaled to stop, by someone impersonating an officer you should immediately call “911” as the staff there can determine immediately if the traffic stop is legitimate. Placing your hazard/flasher lights on and slowly proceeding to the police department, or a well-lit public place, such as an open gas station would be reasonable. Again, the best way to determine if it is a legitimate traffic stop is to immediately call “911.”

This is the first report in Superior however other reports of persons impersonating a police officer have recently occurred in the Northland. A woman driver reported being pulled over by two men who appeared to be impersonating police officers the evening of Jan. 5 near Biwabik, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Citizens are advised to be aware of this situation and use the precautions listed above if they are concerned on a traffic stop.

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