§ 14-277. Impersonation of a law-enforcement or other public officer. - North Carolina Statutes

§14‑277.  Impersonation of a law‑enforcement or other publicofficer.

(a)        No person shallfalsely represent to another that he is a sworn law‑enforcement officer.As used in this section, a person represents that he is a sworn law‑enforcementofficer if he:

(1)        Verbally informsanother that he is a sworn law‑enforcement officer, whether or not therepresentation refers to a particular agency;

(2)        Displays any badgeor identification signifying to a reasonable individual that the person is asworn law‑enforcement officer, whether or not the badge or otheridentification refers to a particular law‑enforcement agency;

(3)        Unlawfully operatesa vehicle on a public street, highway or public vehicular area with anoperating red light as defined in G.S. 20‑130.1(a); or

(4)        Unlawfully operatesa vehicle on a public street, highway, or public vehicular area with anoperating blue light as defined in G.S. 20‑130.1(c).

(b)        No person shall,while falsely representing to another that he is a sworn law‑enforcementofficer, carry out any act in accordance with the authority granted to a law‑enforcementofficer. For purposes of this section, an act in accordance with the authoritygranted to a law‑enforcement officer includes:

(1)        Ordering any personto remain at or leave from a particular place or area;

(2)        Detaining orarresting any person;

(3)        Searching anyvehicle, building, or premises, whether public or private, with or without asearch warrant or administrative inspection warrant;

(4)        Unlawfully operatinga vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area equipped withan operating red light or siren in such a manner as to cause a reasonableperson to yield the right‑of‑way or to stop his vehicle inobedience to such red light or siren;

(5)        Unlawfully operatinga vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area equipped withan operating blue light in such a manner as to cause a reasonable person toyield the right‑of‑way or to stop his vehicle in obedience to suchblue light.

(c)        Nothing in thissection shall prohibit any person from detaining another as provided by G.S.15A‑404 or assisting a law‑enforcement officer as provided by G.S.15A‑405.

(d)        Repealed by SessionLaws 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 712, s. 1.

(d1)      Violations underthis section are punishable as follows:

(1)        A violation ofsubdivision (a)(1), (2), or (3) is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(2)        A violation ofsubdivision (b)(1), (2), (3), or (4) is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Notwithstandingthe disposition in G.S. 15A‑1340.23, the court may impose an intermediatepunishment on a person sentenced under this subdivision.

(3)        A violation ofsubdivision (a)(4) is a Class I felony.

(4)        A violation ofsubdivision (b)(5) is a Class H felony.

(e)        It shall beunlawful for any person other than duly authorized employees of a county, amunicipality or the State of North Carolina, including but not limited to, theDepartment of Social Services, Health, Area Mental Health, DevelopmentalDisabilities, and Substance Abuse Authority or Building Inspector to representto any person that they are duly authorized employees of a county, amunicipality or the State of North Carolina or one of the above‑enumerateddepartments and acting upon such representation to perform any act, make anyinvestigation, seek access to otherwise confidential information, perform anyduty of said office, gain access to any place not otherwise open to the public,or seek to be afforded any privilege which would otherwise not be afforded tosuch person except for such false representation or make any attempt to do anyof said enumerated acts. Any person, corporation, or business associationviolating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1misdemeanor. (1927, c. 229; 1985, c. 761, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess.,1986), c. 863, s. 3; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1030, s. 7; 1993, c. 539, ss.170, 171; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 712, s.1; 1997‑456, s. 2.)