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Colorado Criminal Law – The Crime of Impersonating a Peace Officer – Now a Felony Impersonating a Peace / Police Officer – C.R.S. 18-8-112

Approximately 7 years ago the Colorado State Legislature substantially enhanced the crime of Impersonating a Peace Officer – lifting it from a misdemeanor and making it a Felony. Impersonating a Peace / Police Officer – C.R.S. 18-8-112

“Lacy’s Law” – named after a particularly tragic Colorado Criminal Case – makes impersonating a police officer a felony and criminalizes the illegal possession or use of red or blue police lights.

In 2004, Gov. Bill Owens today signed H.B. 1003, stiffening the penalty for impersonating a police officer and criminalizing the use or possession of red and blue lights.

The bill was prompted by the 2003 abduction and murder of Lacy Miller, a 20-year-old student at the University of Northern Colorado, by a man impersonating a police officer. The man used flashing red and blue lights to pull Miller over.

A 2003 law passed after the murder made police impersonation a class 1 misdemeanor. The law signed today makes impersonating a police officer a class 6 felony, resulting in higher fines and increased jail time for habitual offenders.

Also included in the bill is a ban on the possession and use of red or blue police lights by persons not involved in law enforcement. Illegal possession or use of blue or red lights is a class 1 misdemeanor.

Here is the law:

Impersonation of a Peace / Police Officer in Colorado – C.R.S. -18-8-112

Impersonating a Peace / Police Officer is a felony in Colorado and is generally accompanied by other felony charges.

A person commits the crime of impersonating a peace officer in Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Adams and Arapahoe County, if (1) he falsely pretends to be a peace officer (2) and performs an act in that pretended capacity. If convicted, this crime constitutes a class 6 felony and carries with it up to eighteen (18) months in jail and fines.

The elements of this offense do not prohibit individuals attending Halloween parties dressed as police officers, as long as they ACT and REPRESENT THEMSELVES A PEACE OFFICERS.

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