Glendale man with gun, badge and car accused of impersonating LAPD officer

Police say that Oliver James looked like a Los Angeles Police Department officer. He had a gun, a uniform, a badge, a patrol belt and even a black-and-white sedan, authorities said.

The 44-year-old from Glendale had a name plate, and his car had police lights on top.

When police in Ventura approached James on Sunday about 1 p.m. near Capri Avenue and Johnson Drive, he introduced himself as an off-duty LAPD officer, according to the city’s Police Department.

But police say his story quickly unraveled. Ventura officers confirmed James was not an LAPD employee and not a sworn officer, police said.

James’ cruiser, which had “Police” emblazoned on the doors, was a car the LAPD sold in 2012, officials said. Since then, it has not been registered.

James was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and possessing a firearm, and the car was impounded. He’s being held in lieu of $20,000 bail in Ventura County Jail, according to jail records.

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