New PC regarding badges on t-shirts?

[Nodda Duma]

with the intent to impersonate a California peace officer.

That's what it sounds like to me. Similar to the laws barring impersonation of a federal agent or military personnel.

-Jason

[Warhawk014]

Years ago I was pulled over by a CHP "advisor" on the 99 in the central valley.

Essentially she had a case of road rage because I cut into traffic in front of her trying to make my way thru a long line of slower moving vehicles and semis. After 15 minutes of obscene gestures by the "lady" she lit me up with a spotlight from her unmarked Ford Suburban. At first I didn't pull over (didn't look like a real police vehicle and some recent incidents in LA at the time of people impersonating police made me leery), but I was driving my buddy's truck and he started to cave. Then she lit me up with flashing lights and sirens and I pulled over.

Lady came up to my vehicle, acted like it was a traffic stop. "License, registration, proof of insurance please." She wore a polo shirt with an embroidered "badge" on it and proceeded to berate me under color of authority.

Honestly, I wish I was driving my own vehicle as my friend made it clear, he didn't want trouble, didn't want his truck impounded, etc (so STFU! LOL) When I finally asked to see a badge (after she had run my documents and continued to give me hell without actually citing me), she didn't have one and stated her relationship to CHP as "advisor." I was pretty livid at that point, but regrettably held my tongue and doubly regrettably didn't note her info and file a formal complaint.

So yeah, I'm ok with this new law.

umm i would have said something. that person had no authority to pull you over. and a complaint will have made all the difference. impersonating a peace officer, not a good thing to do.

[goober]

I can't believe this went four pages without the obligatory...

"Badges? We don't need no stinking badges".

actually, i misread the subject line and thought this was about "badgers" on t-shirts:
badgers

[marc4]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,474324,00.html

Illinois Man Sues After Being Handcuffed for Wearing 'Police' T-Shirt
An Illinois man sued the Belleville Police Department after his arrest for wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the word "police," reports say.

Adam C. Weinstein, of St. Charles, Ill., sued the department for an alleged violation of his constitutional rights, STLtoday.com reports.

Weinstein, who was arrested in 2006, wore a T-shirt with "police" written across the front and back beneath a sweater and exposed the T-shirt when he removed the sweater inside a Belleville bar, according to STLtoday.com.

According to the lawsuit, a waitress told Weinstein that officers wanted to speak with him outside the bar. Once outside, Belleville Police Officer Jeff Vernatti then asked Weinstein for his police credentials.

When Weinstein couldn't produce the credentials, Vernatti became physically and verbally abusive before being handcuffed and later released by the officer, according to the lawsuit.

Weinstein was ticketed for impersonating a police officer but it was later dismissed, STLtoday.com reports.