<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (October 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (October 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> Police impersonation is an act of falsely portraying oneself as a member of the police, for the purpose of deception . In the vast majority of countries, the practice is illegal and carries a custodial sentence . </P> <P> Impersonating a police officer is sometimes committed in order to assert police - like authority in order to commit a crime . Posing as a police officer enables the offender to legitimize the appearance of an illegal act, such as: burglary, making a traffic stop, or detaining . </P>

What does it mean to impersonate a police officer