Convicted Felon Accused of Impersonating a Police Officer, Showing Up at Emergency Calls
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Impersonating-a-Police-Officer-091425-1-b4ef8871e3cc4b409e689717ceb7a4de.jpg)
A man in Washington has been charged with criminal impersonation after allegedly identifying himself as a police officer and showing up at real law enforcement calls. 49-year-old Michael A. Scaletta-Teates arrived at an active police scene in Bremerton on September 5, wearing body armor labelled with “POLICE” and “SWAT” logos, sporting a metal police badge from Edmonds and driving an unmarked car fitted with blue lights. He identified himself as an off-duty police detective from Edmonds, according to the Bremerton Police Department.
Body camera footage captured officers’ suspicions towards Scaletta-Teates’ identity during his interaction with them at a trespassing call and a reported fire in a parking garage. Former King County Sheriff John Urquhart remarked on Scaletta-Teates’ appearance, stating, “He looks relatively legitimate. As a lay person, you’re not going to figure it out.”
Scaletta-Teates allegedly mentioned connections with the task force and involvement in parole and probation to the officers. Subsequent investigations revealed that he was not an Edmonds Police officer but a security guard working nearby, engaging in law enforcement activities in the downtown area, as detailed by local outlets KOMO and KING 5.
Witnesses recounted instances where Scaletta-Teates exhibited threatening behaviour, claimed responsibilities such as checking individuals into a homeless shelter, and even appeared at a local 7-11 store after patrons inside had called 911. Despite his alarming actions, neighbours believed he was a genuine officer for months based on his convincing appearance.
It was later discovered that Scaletta-Teates had a felony conviction, and during his arrest, authorities found him in possession of a firearm and a significant amount of police equipment. Consequently, he was formally charged with first-degree criminal impersonation and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
Appearing in court on September 8, Scaletta-Teates pleaded not guilty, and his bail was set at $50,000. The Bremerton Police Department has urged anyone who may have encountered Scaletta-Teates representing himself as a police officer to come forward with information for their ongoing investigation.
In light of this incident, law enforcement advises the public to take necessary precautions when interacting with individuals claiming to be police officers, including verifying their identity by requesting their name and badge number, contacting emergency services to confirm details, and pulling over to a safe, well-lit area if stopped while driving.
The consequences of impersonating law enforcement can have serious repercussions, and it is crucial for the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities promptly.
Ensuring public safety and upholding the integrity of law enforcement are essential in maintaining trust and preventing potential harm in communities. Organizations like the Bremerton Police Department play a vital role in safeguarding society and enforcing the law, emphasizing the importance of adhering to proper protocols and procedures in police interactions.