Man Accused Of Impersonating Officer Identified As Federal Agent

BALL GROUND, GA — The Cherokee Sheriff's Office said a man accused of impersonating a cop when he pulled over a driver Monday afternoon is, in fact, a law enforcement officer. The department said the man shown on cell phone video recorded by the driver is a "certified" federal agent who was operating in off-duty capacity at the time.

Words were exchanged between the officer and a citizen Monday after they crossed paths around 4 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 372 and Highway 369 in Ball Ground. Deputies with the sheriff's office were dispatched to meet with the citizen, who said a man in a silver Chevrolet Equinox "equipped with a single interior mounted blue light" pulled him over, the agency said.

In the video, the man in question was wearing a blue and white striped Polo shirt, blue jeans, a badge with unidentified markings on his belt and a weapon on his hip. The motorist can be heard on camera asking the man, who kept his right hand over what appeared to be his weapon, why he pulled him over (The video, which contains adult language, can be viewed below).

"Why do you got your hand on your gun?" the driver asks, later demanding that he needs "to see some credentials."

The man, who never revealed his identity or what agency he worked for, said the driver "was looking" at the credentials and that he was on duty at the time of the confrontation.

"Have a good day, sir," the unidentified officer says as he walks away. "I just want to make sure you saw me."

Cherokee Sheriff's Office spokesperson Sgt. Marianne Kelley said the agency has notified the officer's immediate supervisor as well as his department about the encounter with the driver.

"At this point we won't say which one," she added when asked which agency the man works for.

The sheriff's office wants to inform residents that when they are being pulled over during a traffic stop, officers can either be in marked or unmarked vehicles. If you feel uncomfortable, the agency recommends slowing down to below the speed limit and signal that you are trying to find a location to pull over, "as this lets the officer know that you see them."

Drivers can also call 911, and the dispatcher will be able to verify who is conducting the traffic stop. If they are unable to do this, they will also dispatch another officer to help in the matter.

"The law enforcement officer, generally speaking, will always either be in uniform or will identify themselves to you and advise you of the agency where they work," Kelley said.

Image via Cherokee Sheriff's Office