A North Vancouver man has been charged with impersonating a police officer.
On March 1, 2025, North Vancouver RCMP were made aware of a man driving a Ford F-150 who had pulled over a Tesla driver. During the interaction, the driver of the F-150 allegedly identified himself as a North Vancouver RCMP officer. It’s alleged that his vehicle had lights that resembled emergency vehicle lights. Shortly after, the man was arrested by North Vancouver RCMP and released with a pending court date.
During the course of the investigation, investigators determined there could be additional victims who were pulled over by the same man and requested that victims to come forward via a media release.
On June 24, 2025, the BC Prosecution Service formally charged Wayne Church of North Vancouver with personating a peace officer and using equipment likely to cause the public to believe he was a peace officer contrary to section 130 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
“Police are offering tips to anyone who may suspect they have been pulled over by a police impersonator,” said Corporal Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for the North Vancouver RCMP. “Public safety is our top priority, and we want to ensure the community feels empowered to question suspicious behaviour. If something doesn’t feel right during a traffic stop, trust your instincts and take steps to verify the officer’s identity. Your caution could help prevent further incidents and assist in ongoing investigations.”
How to protect yourself if you suspect a police impersonator
- Verify identification: Police carry official badges with photo ID cards displaying their regimental number. You can request to see this identification.
- Contact authorities: If uncertain about the legitimacy of the stop, call 911 immediately. Provide your location and express your concerns. The dispatcher can verify if an officer is conducting a traffic stop in your area.
- Trust your instincts: If something feels amiss, inform the individual that you’re contacting the police to verify their identity. Genuine officers will understand and support your caution.
