Impersonating police officer, first responder now a felony in Wisconsin

(The Center Square) – The penalty for impersonating a police officer, firefighter or emergency medical officer is now a felony in Wisconsin.

Lawmakers pushed for the change from a misdemeanor to felony after several incidents in the state and when Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed by a man impersonating an officer in June.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers along with 33 other bills earlier this month.

Bill sponsors said that the update was requested by law enforcement, which cited an incident where a man impersonating U.S. Border Patrol joined an officer at a scene where a teenager had collided with a deer.

“This bill sends a powerful message that impersonating a law enforcement officer isn’t just lying, it’s weaponizing public trust that puts citizens at risk, it undermines confidence in real officers and it enables serious crimes,” said Jim Palmer, Executive Director of Wisconsin Professional Police Association.<...