Underage cop.

[Blazer]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5590225.ece

Richardson allegedly told the officers at the Grand Crossing District station that he had been assigned by another district.
The boy and his police partner spent five hours on patrol making traffic stops before returning to the station.

His partner failed to realise the boy was an imposter until they returned to the police station, where a senior officer became suspicious.

When challenged, the boy was unable to produce a police badge. A search found his holster was empty and a newspaper stuffed into the bag where he was meant to carry his bulletproof vest.

The incident caused major embarrassment for the Chicago police force, one of America's largest.

[MartinBarre]

Utterly crazy. How dumb must those cops feel?

[Jason1212]

I heard about this on the drive in today. I dont know about other countries, but in America some people have an obsessive facination with law enforcement. Most of them for whatever reason will never be able to be a cop (criminal history, mental or physical disorder). I work for a company that makes two way radio products and I deal with these wannabes on a regular basis. No telling what this kid's intentions were though.

[Cleveland Metal]

I'm pretty familiar with how we do stuff here (getting into the stations/districts and getting out to the cars) , and there is just no way that would fly in Cleveland. You have to go through roll calls and the sgt. would see you out in a second.

No copper would partner out with someone that OBVIOUSLY didn't have a gun. And transfers in from other district don't really happen unless it's an emergency. And how could they go for 5 hours and not have a serious run that needed a pro officer to write a report. All too fishy.

I just can't believe that happened.

Something more to all this that we aren't hearing.

[StukaJU87]

John has hit the nail on the head.

[Rsmacker]

Maybe they just thought Officer Doofy had joined them (to save up for a new vacuum cleaner).

[Spivonious]

Sounds like this kid really wants to be a cop. I figure he didn't do anything wrong (except for driving without a license, assuming his partner didn't drive). Put him in the police academy.

[Grandturk]

Worse yet - how do you drive around with a 14 yr old for 5 hours and not get an inkling that the guy was a kid?

[Newc]

The acne shoulda gave it away, and all the "y'know"s

Saw this on the news the other day - apparently the kid REALLY wants to be a cop when he grows up, so he got a uniform and did the deed.

He's facing charges of Impersonating an Officer, and the news chick was asking "what kind of message does that send to the kid?"

My response: "The law is the law". If he wants to be a cop, the first thing he has to accept is that the law applies to everyone at all times no matter what, including him, and including his desire to be a cop.

[Rich#6]

He went through their kiddie training so they have taught him how to fill out reports. The partner did drive. Doesn't change my already low opinion of the chicago PD