Gaston Scoop

A Chicago teen reported for duty at a police precinct and patrolled the city with a partner for five hours before officers realized he was a counterfeit cop, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The 14-year-old had an affinity for police work and had been booted from the Chicago Police Explorers program, which lets teens learn about law enforcement, go on ride-alongs and perform some non-sworn duties. He had allegedly impersonated an officer before.

He showed up in a Chicago Police uniform on Saturday, checked out a ticket book and police radio and told dispatchers at the precinct that he was from another part of town, police say. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in juvenile court.

Most “blue-light bandits,” or those who impersonate officers, seem to lust after authority and wear the badge to boss others around. This eighth-grader has a passion for policing and just wantedto experience the excitement of a routine patrol. It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t wait until he’s old enough to attend police academy and train to become an officer.

The Tribune’s story mentions that the teen may have bought some of his police paraphernalia from a Chicago uniform shop, which requires police identification to sell the duds. This may be part of Illinois law, but I find it bizarre that you need special permission to buy pants with a hem stripe or powder-blue cop shirts. Patches and badges, sure, but regular articles of clothing?

Pseudo-police uniforms are often worn by security guards, watchmen and others who aren’t sworn law enforcement officers. If someone wants to play dress-up, that should be no concern of the state’s. But we can’t have every wannabe with a temper and a tin badge stopping traffic and writing tickets.

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