Don't stop for 'police'

2003-11-15 17:01

Johannesburg - Motorists who are flagged down by uniformed police in unmarked cars should proceed with great caution, a spokeswoman for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department said on Saturday.

"In a deserted area it could be very dangerous," warned Inspector Edna Mamonyane from the department's public relations office.

She was responding to a cautionary tale on the internet which recounts the story of a woman motorist who was asked to pull over by a "police officer" in an unmarked car. The story would appear to emanate from the United States.

The only distinguishing feature on the vehicle was a flashing red light.

The woman called the police dispatcher on her cellphone and giving her exact location informed them she was not prepared to pull over at that stage but would drive to the nearest public place - a petrol station.

However, the dispatcher soon ascertained there was no legitimate police car in the vicinity and immediately summoned help.

Four squad cars arrived and promptly arrested the masquerading officer who had convictions for rape and other criminal activities.

When asked what South Africans should do in a similar situation, national police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht, said it would be reasonable to indicate to police in unmarked cars that you were prepared to stop only in a public place such as an all-night garage or police station.

She said if in doubt phone the Flying Squad at 10111 who would let you know if they had officers in the region.

"People should be very careful, especially at night," she warned.

She said it was highly unlikely criminals would use a legitimately marked police vehicle to lure innocent victims and that it was reasonably safe to stop in such circumstances.

"We don't have any incidents of bogus vehicles (being used for crime)," she said.

Mamonyane said it would be perfectly reasonable for motorists who had been ordered to pull over to open their windows just a fraction while explaining to the so-called officer that they would proceed to the nearest police station.

"You should be suspicious," she said. "Police uniforms do get stolen."

She added it would be unusual for a uniformed officer in an unmarked car to ask any member of the public to pull over as they were aware of the suspicion that would surrounded such a situation.

- SAPA