Comox Valley RCMP responded to a report of a motorcyclist possibly impersonating a police officer, amid rising tensions in the wake of the Nova Scotia tragedy.

鈥淎 frontline member of the Comox Valley RCMP Municipal Traffic section stopped a motorcycle after a report that it may be impersonating a police motorcycle (Thursday, April 23) at approximately 1:40 p.m.,鈥� said Comox Valley RCMP media relations liaison, Monika Terragni.

The motorcyclist was reportedly pulled over on Ryan Road, about a block away from the RCMP detachment.

鈥淭he member conducted an investigation regarding the likeness of the motorcycle to that of a police vehicle and provided the driver with guidance to prevent such an issue in the future,鈥� said Terragni, in response to a query from the Comox Valley Record, after an anonymous tip.

鈥淗is motorcycle has police decals and his riding gear is made to look like an RCMP motorcycle policeman,鈥� said the tipster. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a white Honda Goldwing.

鈥淚t is very upsetting seeing this copycat after what has happened in Portapique, NS. If [I was]asked to pull over by an RCMP motorcycle cop, I don鈥檛 know if I would do it. I would drive slow to an area where there are other people before stopping.鈥�

Terragni said the concerns are understandable, and offered advice for anyone unsure of whether a traffic stop is legitimate.

鈥淔ollowing the tragic events in Nova Scotia, residents may have a heightened concern about people imitating police officers,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f you are being asked to pull over and you have a concern that it is not legitimate, you may proceed in a safe manner to the closest well-lit and populated area (or police detachment). If this is not possible, you can call 9-1-1 for the purpose of confirming that it is a police officer trying to pull you over.鈥�

terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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