Spokane man arrested for impersonating law enforcement

QUINCY — A Spokane man was booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail on suspicion of second-degree criminal impersonation after he allegedly attempted to stop a car by pretending to be a police officer May 8.  

Ronald Cowin, 62, was arrested near Quincy by a Washington State Patrol trooper, according to a WSP press release. Cowin allegedly had used red and blue flashing lights in his car to attempt to pull another car over. 

The incident was reported at about 6:30 p.m. May 8 on the Chumstick Highway near Leavenworth. The reporting party said a silver Crown Victoria had followed the car, turning on flashing lights apparently mounted in the dash. The victim tried to pull over, but the driver of the Crown Victoria drove past, the press release said.  

The reporting party encountered the Crown Victoria again near Dryden and got a picture of it when its driver attempted to stop the reporting party again. About half an hour later, a WSP trooper from Moses Lake saw a vehicle matching the description and followed it, stopping it near the intersection of White Trail Road and State Route 281, about five miles south of Quincy, the press release said. 

“(Attempted impersonation of a police officer) is not very common at all,” said Jeremy Weber, WSP public information officer for District Six.  

While it’s uncommon, Weber said there are some steps people can take if they think the person trying to pull them over might not be a real law enforcement officer. 

“The important part is to stay calm and not try to flee,” Weber said.  

Drivers should put flashers on, drive at or below the speed limit to a public and well-lit location, he said.  

“Call 911 immediately,” he said.  

Dispatchers will be able to tell drivers whether or not that’s a law enforcement officer, he said. Drivers shouldn’t stop until the dispatcher can confirm it’s a legitimate law enforcement officer. If it’s legit, the driver should stop and explain their concerns to law enforcement.  

“They will address your concerns, readily identify themselves and let you know the reason for the original contact,” the WSP release said.  

If the dispatchers can’t confirm that, drivers should keep moving, stay on the line, ask for law enforcement and drive to a safe location like a fire station or police department.