Woman Raped by Fake Ft.Worth Officer

[TexasGal]

Saw this on today's news. Did not see it posted elsewhere:

Star-Telegram.com
Woman raped by man posing as Fort Worth police officer

Posted Wednesday, Mar. 17, 2010

By DEANNA BOYD

dboyd@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH -- Police are urging women to take precautions after a man wearing what appeared to be a police uniform entered a woman's southwest Fort Worth apartment under the guise of looking for a fugitive, then raped her.

"At this point, the investigation indicates the suspect is not, in fact, a Fort Worth Police Officer," states a news release issued by the department Wednesday and including a composite of the rapist.

The woman told investigators that she had just returned to her apartment complex at about 2 a.m. Monday when she heard knocking on her door. Looking out the peephole, the woman spotted a man wearing a dark blue uniform, which included a shirt that appeared to have Fort Worth police patches on both arms.

The man told the woman he was looking for a fugitive and threatened to arrest her if the fugitive was in her apartment. When the woman opened the door to show that the fugitive was not there, the uniformed man sexually assaulted her, police said.

The man told the woman that he had a weapon, but he did not use it, police said.

He is described as black, 30 to 40 years old, 6 feet tall and 200 to 250 pounds. He had a shaved head, was clean-shaven, had a very round face and appeared stocky but not fat.

Mahaffey said lone women should take precautions if unsure of a purported officer's true identity.

"Is there more than one police officer? Do you see a police car? Did you call the police? Look at the totality of the circumstances," Mahaffey said. "If there is a bona fide question of authenticity, it is perfectly acceptable to ask a Fort Worth police officer for their identification card or dial 911."

Anyone with information about the man's identity is asked to call the sex crimes unit at 817-392-4350.

DEANNA BOYD, 817-390-7655


Here is my question:
Just what the heck would you do? If I were presented with the same scenario, I could tell him I had to confirm he was an officer and keep the door locked while I called 911 to confirm his identity. If he waited patiently outside while I did so, or even left. That would be ok; BUT, what if he instead burst angrily inside?! Do I draw on him? If he is an impostor and I shoot him, I had a right to do so. However, if he is really a policeman and he really does think there is a fugitive in my home, and lawfully barges in looking for him, I'm in big trouble if I draw on him or, God Forbid, shoot him. I might be gunned down or spend my life in prison. I'd like to know what the LEO"s on this forum think. Not long ago, I read another story where a real swat officer barged into a home without identifying himself looking for someone. He even had a ski mask on. The wife wasn't armed when she came to the door or it could have gone badly.

[longtooth]

We are seeing more & more of these hard entries where the criminals impersonate a LE. When in doubt check it out. State your reason for doubt.

Real LEOs will know about the rape & will be willing to wait for you to get a report from dispatch. Get on the phone close to the door, talk loud, tell the dispatch it is so the person will know the conversation is taking place.

Real officer will offer badge # & that can be confirmed. BGs will probably hit the road fast. Then you already on the phone w/ a report.

[TexasGal]

That is good advice, Longtooth. Thanks

[The Annoyed Man]

I would add: have a gun in your hand while you're making that phone call just in case the BG decides to kick down the door instead of running before the cops get there. You can always tell the 911 operator that you are armed, and when the real police show up, you can always put the gun down somewhere before opening the door to them.

[joe817]

Channel 11 in DFW ran this story last night:

http://cbs11tv.com/local/police.imperso ... 70088.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

LT & TAM offer good advice. I think I'd have gun in hand while on the phone with police. I'd demand to see a police issued ID, not just a badge.

Let them know you are armed and will allow entry AFTER confirming that they are who they say they are by calling 911, and let them know you are on the phone with 911.

If they wait that tells me they are ligit. If they break the door down and barge in, then I fear for my life and castle doctrine is in full effect. PC 9.31 & PC 9.32 applies IMHO, and I would act accordingly.

IANAL

[longtooth]

That is good advice, Longtooth. Thanks

Practice your verbal commands like you do your shooting skills.
You will fight like you train & that includes verbal commands.

TAM said
have a gun in your hand while you're making that phone call just in case the BG decides to kick down the door instead of running before the cops get there.

I did not say that because I knew she would have it.

Good job to you too Joe.

[KC5AV]

We are seeing more & more of these hard entries where the criminals impersonate a LE. When in doubt check it out. State your reason for doubt.

We've seen quite a few of these hard entries by actual LE personnel, too. No-knock warrants on the wrong address, etc.

[davidtx]

We are seeing more & more of these hard entries where the criminals impersonate a LE. When in doubt check it out. State your reason for doubt.

We've seen quite a few of these hard entries by actual LE personnel, too. No-knock warrants on the wrong address, etc.

Now that's a nightmare.

[TexasGal]

That is good advice, Longtooth. Thanks

Practice your verbal commands like you do your shooting skills.
You will fight like you train & that includes verbal commands.

TAM said
have a gun in your hand while you're making that phone call just in case the BG decides to kick down the door instead of running before the cops get there.

I did not say that because I knew she would have it.

Good job to you too Joe.

Thank you, I will take that as a complement

[longtooth]

I really did. No doubt in my mind.