§ 21-264. False impersonation of peace officers - False insignia on motor vehicle.

A.  Any person who shall without due authority exercise or attempt to exercise the functions of or hold himself or herself out to any one as a deputy sheriff, marshal, police officer, constable or peace officer shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or by a fine not exceeding One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment; provided, however, this section shall not be so construed as to prevent private persons from making arrests for felonies or misdemeanors committed in their presence.

B.  It shall be unlawful for any person to affix on his or her motor vehicle, either temporarily or permanently, any insignia typically used by a law enforcement agency for the purpose of causing any other motor vehicle operator to yield the right-of-way and stop, or which actually causes any other motor vehicle operator to yield the right-of-way and stop, whether intended or not.  Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.  The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to vehicles of any fire department, fire patrol, law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, or other authorized emergency vehicles.

R.L. 1910, § 2147.  Amended by Laws 2007, c. 120, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2007.