A Winter Haven man, who owns a security firm, has been arrested for impersonating an officer.
About 7:52 a.m. Sept. 18, an off-duty Winter Haven officer contacted the Polk County Sheriff's Office to report a suspicious 2006 Ford Crown Victoria that appeared to be attempting to mimic a law enforcement officer.
The officer advised that she had been provided a "be on the lookout" for a matching vehicle earlier on her shift.
The sheriff's office dispatch broadcast the report, and a Lake Wales officer saw a vehicle matching the description on Thompson Nursery Road, and advised the sheriff's office.
The vehicle was found at 331 Cloverdale Drive and James Garfield answered the door at the residence wearing a gold metallic star badge on his belt.
Garfield told the officer his N.Y. license was suspended, as was his Florida one but that he had a hardship license for work travel. He was unable to provide the hardship license.
A Lake Wales officer arrived and identified Garfield as the man operating the Crown Victoria, which had a Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch tag, "enforcement officer" printed on the back, and a police-style light bar on top. The car also had a push bumper and in bold gold lettering "officer," a mounted police radar speed measurement device, video camera, and additional mounted led lights. Both sides of the vehicle are identified with a gold star and large bold print "officer" with smaller red print "enforcement" within the gold star in smaller black lettering are the words "ESP Florida" and "Efficient Security Patrol."
A search of the car found several items in the car including a Taser, bulletproof vest bearing a gold star with "enforcement officer," "justice safety tactical protect" and "tactical enforcement officer." There also was a gold metallic badge (in a black leather type badge holder with neck chain) with "tactical law enforcement officer."
Garfield said the "law enforcement" items were mistakes of the respective company, but he would not provide contacts at the business that he said he owns. There also were several vehicle graphics.
He said he owns US Law Enforcement Service Co., a separate security firm that he created however he has incurred difficulties obtaining licensing to own and operate a security firm.
He told the officer was not able to obtain his security officer license due to a criminal record.
Investigators also seized the Crown Victoria due to it being used in the crime. Inside was found law enforcement paraphernalia including additional badges, patches, and duty gear including a Taser, two magazines with 9mm pistol ammunition and a BB-gun replica of a Walter 9mm pistol.
Jams Garfield, 27, of Winter Haven was arrested and charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and driving with a suspended/revoked license (habitual offender).
