A Lethbridge man previously warned against impersonating a police officer is now charged after allegedly continuing to do so. Police say the man was pulled over while driving a black Ford Explorer on Mayor Magrath Drive South on May 9. The vehicle was allegedly fitted with a push bar on the bumper, LED lights and siren speakers as well as antennas like those on law enforcement vehicles. Police say the vehicle also had a “police interceptor” sticker on the rear. “Upon speaking to the driver, the officer noted an ignition override switch on the dash and toggle bars mounted to the centre console, capable of controlling the installed emergency equipment,” police said in a Tuesday news release. “There was also a search light mounted on the driver’s side of the vehicle and bars on the blacked out, rear passenger windows.” The driver, 20-year-old Will Nicholas Waddell, is charged with impersonating a police officer. He’s scheduled to appear in court July 8. Waddell’s vehicle was seized and towed to a police compound. Police say Waddell had previously been pulled over, warned, ticketed and directed to remove the equipment. “In Canada, it is illegal to outfit a civilian vehicle with equipment including red and blue lights, sirens, push bars, spotlights and decals or markings containing ‘police’ or any official police crest,” police said. “While purchasing a decommissioned police vehicle is legal, the owner must remove all decals, light bars and specialized equipment before the vehicle can be operated on public roads.”
