What defines impersonation of a police officer?

Impersonation of a police officer is defined by the act of pretending to be a law enforcement officer and behaving in a manner consistent with that role. This includes not just the intent to deceive others into believing you are a police officer, but also taking actions that a police officer would typically undertake, such as making arrests, issuing orders, or using authority that is not legitimately yours.

This conduct can lead to significant legal consequences, as it undermines public trust in law enforcement and can pose dangers to actual officers or the community at large. For example, if an individual were to stop someone for a traffic violation or attempt to interrogate a suspect while impersonating a police officer, that would constitute clear impersonation under the law.

The other choices do not meet the criteria for what constitutes impersonation of a police officer. Pretending to be a security guard does not involve claiming to be a police officer. Wearing police attire alone does not imply action taken under the guise of police authority. Administering first aid, while potentially helpful, does not involve the element of impersonation nor does it require one to assume the role of law enforcement. Each of these points clarifies why the act of pretending and behaving as an officer is central to the definition of