So; you want to be an officer?

A local man was given a front row seat to policing this morning, however; this is no honorary Constable story.

Paleto Bay RCMP launched an investigation on Saturday night, after a vehicle had attempted to perform a traffic stop on a vehicle using flashing red and blue lights. Unfortunately for that individual, the person they were about to stop was an off-duty member of the RCMP heading to work.

According to police, the member did ultimately pull over, and the alleged suspect continued driving on, later turning off the lights.

"Our member was able to obtain a licence plate and identify the vehicle." said Sergeant Bonne of the Paleto Bay Detachment.

The vehicle; a black Ford Crown Victoria, which was previously a police vehicle, was not an actual police car, anymore, at least.

"The suspect ultimately obtained the vehicle on the public market, and outfitted the vehicle with various police equipment items; including the police lights."

The next mistake the man made was, returning to his registered address.

"Our members immediately attended the residence shortly after shift start, where the same vehicle was located. The member who the man tried to stop was the primary investigator and was also attending." states Bonne.

"These incidents are very dangerous for us, and the public. We don't know what this mans intentions would have been."

"Not everyone likes us, either. Various scenarios could have played out on both the suspects side, and the victims side." Bonne says.

As for the man who is suspected of the crime, he faces an inside look at the judicial system, with charges pending before the justice, including

Personating a Peace Officer

Operation of a Motor Vehicle causing danger

Operating a Motor Vehicle at speeds greater than the posted speed limit

Possession of Police Items with intent to Impersonate

The man will be identified later, but for now, he remains in jail awaiting release. The vehicle has been pulled from the streets and remains as evidence.

"It will later be destroyed, along with the equipment inside, to prevent this from happening again by the same suspect."

As for those who do want to be a police officer, Bonne says, the RCMP is actively hiring, and the easiest way to step into the shoes of an officer is to simply apply.

"Regardless of his intentions, if he wanted to become a member of the police so badly; it would have saved him plenty of cash and effort to apply to become a regular member of the RCMP."

Mike Litoris reporting from Paleto Bay

Channel 7 News