The Atmore Police Department is reporting that there is a police impersonator who has already illegally initiated a traffic stop on one vehicle in the city of Atmore.

According to APD officials, information was given to officers of a man driving a white Ford Crown Victoria that has been seen driving through the city with lights activated. The vehicle and driver are unknown to the APD, and it is believed the driver is impersonating a police officer.

The vehicle is described as a white Ford Crown Victoria with a red light bar and blue interior lights. The car has no tag and the only markings are a small circular sticker on the back window.

The alleged driver is a white male, possibly in his 20s. He may be wearing a blue uniform with a badge sewn onto the uniform, does not have a duty belt and has blond hair.

The vehicle was last seen on Thursday, driving on U.S. Highway 31 coming from the Canoe area into Atmore, with lights activated, turning left onto Presley Street.

Public Safety Director Glenn Carlee said Tuesday morning that there have been no further reports of the vehicle, but he still wants the public to keep a look out.

Carlee said that he has heard of police impersonators in Mobile and Baldwin County before, but this is the first time that he has heard of one coming through Atmore. Online websites allow the purchase of police lights and have helped make the problem worse.

“I guess they see things on YouTube and want to copy it,” Carlee said. “It’s tough enough to be a police officer, and then you’ve got these idiots out there pretending to be one. I don’t know what the attraction is.

“We haven’t had any other reports since Thursday. Maybe it was just a one-time visit.”

APD officers say that if a traffic stop is initiated and there are no identifying marks on the patrol vehicle, call (251) 368-9141 or 911. Inform the operator of the location, and verification will be made to ensure the traffic stop is legitimate.

If this vehicle or driver are seen, call the APD at (251) 368-9141.