There have been several reports of police officer impersonations in the north Georgia area, according to an Athens-Clarke County Police Department media release.

Multiple citizens reported that they were stopped by males in “civilian clothing posing as police officers,” according to the release. The males described were both black and white, and drove vehicles ranging from a Ford Crown Victoria to an SUV. Some had blue lights mounted on the vehicle’s dash or behind the grille.

Thus far, no impersonations have been reported in the Athens area, according to Sargent James T. Teden.

Citizens who think a traffic stop is being attempted by an unmarked vehicle have been advised by Chief Joseph H. Lumpkin, Sr. to turn on their car’s emergency flashers, slow down, and proceed to a well-lit area before stopping. They may also call 911 as the stop is occurring for confirmation that the car is or is not an Athens-Clarke County Police department vehicle, according to the release.

“We have briefed our officers not to get excited if a car does not stop immediately because now we know that citizens know that if they feel like it might not be a real policeman, they’re going to slow down and go to a well-lit location, which we won’t have a problem with that,” Teden said.

Be wary of unmarked cars making traffic stops, Teden said.

“Our unmarked units won’t be making traffic stops unless it’s something very very important. They will wait for a marked unit,” Teden said. “I can’t say that the unmarked units in Athens would never make a traffic stop, but in reality very few stops are made by unmarked cars by the Athens-Clarke County police department.”