Authorities need help identifying an alleged police officer who stopped a boy walking in Washington Twp, Warren County
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – The Washington Township Police Department and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office are jointly investigating a suspicious incident in which a juvenile reported being stopped by a police officer while walking in the area of Route 57, in the area of Washington Square Circle and 401 Route 57, which is a strip mall where the Department of Child Protection and Permanency, Warren local office and the Dollar Tree is located, according to Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer.
It is believed the alleged incident occurred on Friday, August 21 between 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., Pfeiffer said.
The individual was wearing a police like uniform with regular shoes, and was driving a black and white vehicle with the word “police” on the passenger side door. It was reported this individual was not wearing a gun or other equipment typically carried by law enforcement, Pfeiffer said.
Record checks with various state, county, and local law enforcement agencies indicated there was no police activity in the area at the time of the incident, Pfeiffer said.
“As Law Enforcement Professionals, we understand contact with the police under any circumstances may cause individuals to be nervous or upset. During interactions with Law Enforcement Officers we encourage the public (adults and juveniles) to ask the Officer their identity and/or the Department they are employed by, if they have not done so upon initial contact,” Pfeiffer said.
“If you believe the individual you are speaking with is not a law enforcement officer and refuses to provide this information, you should advise the individual you are calling 911 emergency dispatch to verify his or her identity, and immediately do so and report the incident. 911 emergency dispatch will be able to verify who you are speaking with and will send an officer to your location if and individual is impersonating a police officer,” Pfeiffer said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Washington township Police Department at 908-689-1630 or the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-475-6060.
