A young Sydney driver is facing a string of charges after he was allegedly caught impersonating a foreign police officer in the city’s west, and subsequently found to be in possession of multiple firearms.
NSW Police Highway Patrol were conducting routine inspections on Everton Road in Strathfield on Friday, when they noticed a black sedan allegedly bearing Chinese police insignia — or at least, an attempt at it. Images show the word “POILCE” emblazoned across the bonnet, alongside a set of Chinese characters, raising eyebrows, as well as a few spelling concerns.
The 20-year-old driver, who allegedly showed officers a disability pass, then also allegedly presented false documentation stating the vehicle was being used to transport consulate officials from China.
While searching the sedan, police located a box containing 48 live rounds of ammunition in the boot, they allege. Officers said the man claimed he believed it was the best place to store the ammo. He was arrested and his home searched.
“Officers seized the ammunition as well as other items in the vehicle believed to be utilised to impersonate police,” Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said. “Officers were able to gain access to his Baulkham Hills residence where they located two gel blaster firearms, which were immediately seized. His registered firearms were also taken, now pending a review of his firearms licence.”
The driver was hit with a string of charges, including impersonating a public official, displaying unauthorised police insignia, not displaying P-plates, and firearms storage offences. The man was granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old Sydney man was also charged with firearm offences, after he was allegedly found in possession of several. Source: NSW Police
What’s the penalty for impersonating a police officer in NSW?
In NSW, impersonating a police officer is a criminal offence under section 546D of the Crimes Act 1900. The maximum penalty is two years jail and/or a fine of 100 penalty units, which currently equates to up to $11,000
If the impersonation is aggravated, meaning if it also involves misuse of police powers like stopping a vehicle or making arrests, offenders can face up to seven years in prison.
It’s not the first time people in Australia have been caught impersonating police. Previously, two men pretending to be police officers forced their way inside a woman’s home, and a Melbourne tradie was attacked after being pulled over by a “fake cop”.
Drivers were also earlier warned about a “fake” police car that pulled Melburnians over and demanded they “pay up”. A driver claimed to have spotted the vehicle, which had a blue flashing light on the dashboard, similar to a police car, in Hampton Park, in the city’s southeast, in 2023.
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