Griffo Calls For Tougher Penalties For Impersonating A Police Officer

State Senator Joseph Griffo is sponsoring a bill that would stiffen sentences for anyone who commits a crime while impersonating a police officer.

Griffo says the bill would automatically make crimes up to class B felonies one category higher than the offense would have been if the person was not impersonating a police officer.

He says crimes committed by someone impersonating a police officer are on the rise across the country.

Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara.says the bill would be another valuable tool for law enforcement.

Griffo was also joined by County Sheriff Rob Maciol, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams and Rome Police Captain Timothy Bates.

A bill similar to the one Griffo will sponsor has passed in the Senate several times since 2007, but has not been passed in the Assembly.