Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on August 25, 2026
When we are pulled over by a police officer, we generally assume that the officer is, in fact, a legit law enforcement officer. A recent story from The Gazette makes us second guess that perhaps dangerous assumption. A Colorado soldier was arrested and charged with a rarer traffic violation compared to the standard cases of speeding or running a stop sign.
A woman reported to Castle Rock police in November that a man had wrongfully pulled her over while presenting himself as though he were a true officer of the law. The so-called “officer” reportedly touched the woman through a body frisk and ended the interaction by telling her she was getting off with a warning.
It’s apparently not the woman who needs any legal advice at this point. According to sources, the man who pulled over and frisked the Colorado woman is not a police officer, and he was breaking the law by impersonating one. He managed to fake his authority by driving an official-looking vehicle and using blue and red lights on the car – a violation of traffic laws for those who aren’t law enforcement.
When the woman gave investigators the description of the man who pulled her over and described his vehicle, authorities were able to quickly identify a promising focus of investigation. They arrested a 21-year-old suspect, a Fort Carson soldier, and charged him with the following: unlawful sexual contact, false imprisonment, displaying signals on a non-emergency vehicle and impersonating an officer.
We will post an update as more details become available. If you ever have any doubts about the legitimacy of a police officer, you can call 911 or verify that the officer’s documents are valid by calling the issuing agency. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Source
The Gazette: “Carson soldier accused of impersonating cop, fondling woman,” Lance Benzel, 27 Jan. 2011
What Colorado Law Says About Impersonating a Police Officer
Colorado law makes it a crime to falsely pretend to be a law enforcement officer, and it separately prohibits displaying emergency lights, sirens, or official-looking markings on a vehicle that is not authorized for that use. These are treated as distinct offenses from any other charges that arise out of the same incident, meaning a person can face impersonation charges in addition to whatever else happened during the stop.
Prosecutors typically look at the full picture: the vehicle used, any equipment meant to mimic law enforcement, and what was said or done during the encounter. Charges like traffic-related offenses can carry consequences on their own, and additional charges tied to impersonation or physical contact raise the stakes considerably.
Why These Cases Often Involve Multiple, Unrelated Charges
A single traffic stop gone wrong can lead to charges spanning several different areas of Colorado criminal law at once, from traffic offenses to charges involving physical contact with another person. Each charge carries its own elements that the prosecution must prove, and each can be challenged separately by a defense attorney.
This is one reason a person facing multiple charges from a single incident benefits from having an attorney review every charge individually rather than treating the case as a single, unified allegation. A charge like unlawful sexual contact carries its own legal standard and potential penalties, separate from a traffic violation or a false imprisonment charge arising from the same stop.
What to Do If You Doubt an Officer’s Identity
If you are ever unsure whether the person who pulled you over is a legitimate officer, you can call 911 to confirm, ask for a badge number, or request that a second, uniformed unit respond to the scene. Staying in your vehicle with the doors locked and rolling down the window only partway are reasonable precautions until you can confirm who you are dealing with.
If you have been charged with a crime in Colorado, whether it stems from a traffic stop, an impersonation case, or something more serious, contact our team to talk through what happened and what your options are.
Frequently Asked Questions About Impersonating an Officer in Colorado
Is impersonating a police officer a serious charge in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado treats false impersonation of a peace officer as a criminal offense on its own, and it is often charged alongside other crimes that occurred during the same incident, which can increase the overall exposure a person faces.
Can I be charged for using emergency-style lights on my personal vehicle?
Colorado restricts who can display red and blue emergency lights or sirens on a vehicle. Using them without authorization is a separate traffic violation from any impersonation charge that may also apply.
How do I know if someone pulling me over is a real police officer?
You can call 911 to confirm the stop is legitimate, ask for a badge number, and request a second uniformed unit if you have concerns. Staying in a well-lit, public area and keeping your doors locked while you confirm the officer’s identity are reasonable precautions.
Can a single incident lead to multiple criminal charges in Colorado?
Yes. A single incident can produce several separate charges, each with its own elements the prosecution must prove. An attorney can evaluate each charge individually to identify weaknesses in the evidence supporting it.
What should I do if I am charged with a crime following a traffic stop?
Avoid making statements to investigators beyond identifying yourself, and speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can review the stop, the evidence collected, and every charge filed against you.
About the Attorney
Founding Attorney, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C.
Shazam Kianpour is the founding attorney of Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., where he has handled thousands of criminal and traffic cases throughout the Denver area, including DUI, assault, domestic violence, and sex crime defense. He is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, the Denver Bar Association, and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.
Written by
Shazam KianpourDenver Criminal Defense Attorney & Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. — Over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases handled across Colorado.