Glendale Man Arrested For Allegedly Impersonating An LAPD Officer

VENTURA (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Monday investigated the circumstances surrounding a 44-year-old man who was arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer.

Shortly before 1 p.m. on Sunday, officers received report of four suspicious men standing around a police car.

According to the Ventura Police Department, the caller went on to explain one of the men was putting on a police uniform in a parking lot located on Capri Avenue, east of Johnson Drive.

Upon their arrival, officers located a man -- Oliver James, of Glendale -- dressed in a full Los Angeles Police Department uniform, badge, and name plate with a patrol duty belt and gun. He introduced himself as an active off-duty police officer with the LAPD.

Officers said James stood next to a black and white patrol car with "Police" written on the side of it. A light bar was also attached to the top of the vehicle.

A preliminary investigation revealed James was not an employee of the LAPD, and was not a sworn police officer.

According to officers, the vehicle had been sold by the LAPD in 2012, which remained unregistered since then.

Officials explained the vehicle was subsequently impounded. The three other men were released at the scene.

James was arrested on suspicion of impersonation of a police officer, and carrying a firearm on his person. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Ventura Police Department at (805) 339-4309.