State Patrol asks drivers to check police stops on Whidbey

Drivers on Whidbey Island should call 911 if they doubt the authority of a traffic stop. The Washington State Patrol issued this guidance on Oct. 30 to help residents distinguish between uniformed officers and potential impersonators. Dispatchers can confirm whether a stop was initiated by an actual officer.

The warning follows eight 911 calls in nearby Skagit County regarding suspected impersonators. These calls occurred between Jan. 1 and Oct. 21. Trooper Kelsey Harding told My Bellingham Now that investigators have not yet determined how many of these incidents involved genuine impersonators versus legitimate unmarked police vehicles.

The patrol has not reported any confirmed police impersonation incidents in Island County. However, the agency is actively seeking information about activity in the Skagit area. Initially, the patrol described a suspect vehicle as a Ford Crown Victoria equipped with push bars. The agency later clarified that owning and driving a former police vehicle with such equipment is legal. Investigators are focusing on individuals who actively present themselves as officers.

Residents with specific information about incidents on state highways in Skagit County can contact Trooper Ryan Thomas. His email address is ryan.thomas@wsp.wa.gov. Those encountering a suspected impersonator on Whidbey should use the standard 911 line to report the situation.