POLICE ARREST ONE FOR IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICERAt about 1:45pm, on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, an officer performing a paid detail in the area of 211 Harrison Avenue was approached by an individual (an Asian male) speaking Chinese, waving his arms and pointing in the direction of another man. Given the individual’s look of distress, the officer approached the man the individual was pointing towards. When the officer asked the suspect to stop, the suspect, upon seeing the officer, took off on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, officers were able to apprehend the suspect in the area of 91 Hudson Street. During the foot pursuit, officers observed the suspect discard an object. Upon retrieving the object, officers observed and took possession of a black wallet with law enforcement markings on it. With the suspect in custody, an officer with the ability to speak and understand Chinese was brought to the scene to translate for the victim. According to the victim, the suspect knocked on his door, flashed a badge and attempted to gain entry. The victim says he refused to let the suspect enter his apartment. The victim further states that he observed the suspect in the company of two similarly dressed individuals.
Officers arrested Hector Rincon, 26, of New York and charged him with Impersonating a Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest.
The Boston Police Department is still actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information relating to this incident or unrelated incidents is strongly encouraged to contact Area A-1 (Downtown) detectives at (617) 343-4248.
TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM POLICE IMPERSONATORS
Those who impersonate police officers call into question and undermine the public’s trust in law enforcement and endanger unsuspecting citizens. To safeguard yourself, there are measures to keep in mind when interacting with individuals you suspect of impersonating a police officer.
• Look for an official uniform. Make sure the uniform is consistent with the one worn by officers in your city. Look for official patches, jackets and other easily identifiable equipment utilized by Boston Police officers in the performance of their duties. Often those who impersonate police officers will wear ill-fitting uniforms or mismatched shirts and pants. Often the shoulder patch reads: ‘Security’ instead of ‘Police’.
• Take notice of the equipment worn by the offices. All Boston Police officers are issued and equipped with specific equipment like firearms, handcuffs and police radios. Often those who impersonate police officers are not in possession of these items.
• If the officer is in plainclothes, feel free to ask the officer to present his/her badge or identification card.
• If still uncomfortable, voice your concerns with the officer. Ask the officer to request a marked patrol unit or police cruiser to respond to the scene.
• If the officer refuses, call 9-1-1 to report the incident

POLICE ARREST ONE FOR IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICERAt about 1:45pm, on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, an officer performing a paid detail in the area of 211 Harrison Avenue was approached by an individual (an Asian male) speaking Chinese, waving his arms and pointing in the direction of another man. Given the individual’s look of distress, the officer approached the man the individual was pointing towards. When the officer asked the suspect to stop, the suspect, upon seeing the officer, took off on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, officers were able to apprehend the suspect in the area of 91 Hudson Street. During the foot pursuit, officers observed the suspect discard an object. Upon retrieving the object, officers observed and took possession of a black wallet with law enforcement markings on it. With the suspect in custody, an officer with the ability to speak and understand Chinese was brought to the scene to translate for the victim. According to the victim, the suspect knocked on his door, flashed a badge and attempted to gain entry. The victim says he refused to let the suspect enter his apartment. The victim further states that he observed the suspect in the company of two similarly dressed individuals.
Officers arrested Hector Rincon, 26, of New York and charged him with Impersonating a Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest.
The Boston Police Department is still actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information relating to this incident or unrelated incidents is strongly encouraged to contact Area A-1 (Downtown) detectives at (617) 343-4248.
TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM POLICE IMPERSONATORS
Those who impersonate police officers call into question and undermine the public’s trust in law enforcement and endanger unsuspecting citizens. To safeguard yourself, there are measures to keep in mind when interacting with individuals you suspect of impersonating a police officer.
• Look for an official uniform. Make sure the uniform is consistent with the one worn by officers in your city. Look for official patches, jackets and other easily identifiable equipment utilized by Boston Police officers in the performance of their duties. Often those who impersonate police officers will wear ill-fitting uniforms or mismatched shirts and pants. Often the shoulder patch reads: ‘Security’ instead of ‘Police’.
• Take notice of the equipment worn by the offices. All Boston Police officers are issued and equipped with specific equipment like firearms, handcuffs and police radios. Often those who impersonate police officers are not in possession of these items.
• If the officer is in plainclothes, feel free to ask the officer to present his/her badge or identification card.
• If still uncomfortable, voice your concerns with the officer. Ask the officer to request a marked patrol unit or police cruiser to respond to the scene.
• If the officer refuses, call 9-1-1 to report the incident