Police Impersonators: Less Dangerous Than Cops

by Will Grigg
Dec. 02, 2013

Twice within the space of twenty-four hours, women in Texas were handcuffed and sexually assaulted by armed strangers in official-looking costumes.

The first incident took place on a highway near Carrollton, Texas on November 21. An unidentified man wearing what appeared to be a police uniform stopped a woman, handcuffed her, and assaulted her in the back seat of his car.

On the following day, San Antonio Police Officer Jackie Len Neal allegedly stopped a 19-year-old girl, handcuffed her, and assaulted her in the back seat of his police cruiser. This was not the first time he has been accused of assaulting women during traffic stops.

Following the incident with a police impersonator, police officials warned female drivers that if they are suspicious of the individual pulling them over, they should call 911 and then drive to a well-lit area before stopping. This might deter a police impersonator. However, if the individual is a police officer, the result might be a potentially fatal pursuit and criminal charges. Dibor Roberts, a nurse from Arizona, was severely beaten and then charged with – and convicted on – two felony counts when she followed that advice during a late-night traffic stop.

To a lonely female driver at night, a cop may pose a greater danger than a police impersonator.