He introduced himself as a sergeant from the elite General Service Unit. Detectives say the only things that were real were the handcuffs.

Officers from Jogoo Road Police Station have arrested a man accused of impersonating a police officer and extorting members of the public along Jogoo Road in Nairobi, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said on Thursday, November 5.

Caught at DC Stage

The suspect was picked up at DC Stage after residents raised concerns about a man allegedly demanding money from people while claiming to be a law enforcement officer.

"A tip-off from members of the public has ended an impersonation and extortion scheme on Jogoo Road, Nairobi, with police arresting a man posing as a police officer before his deception could continue," the DCI said.

When confronted, he allegedly described himself as a police sergeant attached to the GSU Training School in Embakasi. His story fell apart when officers checked his credentials.

What police found

A search turned up items detectives believe were meant to make his claims look legitimate:

  • A forged certificate of appointment bearing a fictitious police service number
  • A pair of handcuffs
  • Two keys

Detectives say the items were meant to give his false identity the look of real police authority. He is in custody and being processed ahead of arraignment. He has not yet been charged, and the allegations have not been tested in court.

A recurring trick

The arrest is the latest in a string of impersonation cases. In August, detectives arrested a man at Yaya Centre in Kilimani who allegedly posed as a police officer; they recovered a pistol, handcuffs and false police documents, and later found 100 rounds of ammunition at his home in Dagoretti North. In October, the DCI arrested two people in Narok accused of posing as a senior government official to defraud the public.

The DCI credited residents for the tip and urged Kenyans to stay alert and report anyone suspected of impersonating officers. Members of the public who doubt a person's claim to be an officer can verify at the nearest police station or report anonymously through the DCI's toll-free line, 0800 722 203.

Photos: KPS via Kenyans.co.ke (GSU pass-out parade, Embakasi); Hilary Kimuyu via Kenyans.co.ke (police vehicle). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.