CT Environmental Official Charged With Impersonating Cop: Reports

OLD SAYBROOK, CT — A 59-year-old Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection official from Old Saybrook was arrested Tuesday after being accused of impersonating a police officer, Old Saybrook police told multiple outlets.

Richard Swan, a environmental protection assistant division director with the DEEP, is accused of using a DEEP vehicle with red and blue emergency lights to "stop and detain a vehicle occupied by three people under the age of 18" on the night of April 27, officials said, according to WTNH.

Swan flashed a badge to the children and asked for their licenses before calling the police and sharing the children's identities, NBC Connecticut reported.

In his position, Swan had no authority to make any such car stops, police told both outlets.

Old Saybrook Police Chief Michael A. Spera told news outlets that "It is disturbing that an individual would violate the public’s trust by misrepresenting themselves as a police officer and even worse to juveniles."

Swan being held on a $5,000 bond and is due in Middletown Superior Court June 11, reports say.

Read the full story at WTNH News 8.

Read the full story at NBC CT.