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Today, the Public Relations Officer from Eastern Division North described how the con-men did it:

Insp. Fitzroy Yearwood, PR Officer, Eastern Division North
"In the early hours of Saturday morning, two security officers were on duty right here in Precinct 3 area at a business establishment when they were approached by these two persons that are impersonating officers. The description that they give is that they were dressed in uniforms that resemble our number working dress which would be blue and khaki. They are claiming that these persons questioned them and relieve them of a 38 revolver. I will disclose the serial number at another time. At this point in our investigation we see the dire need for the general public to assist us in trying to identify these persons. We have detained several individuals that we believe can help us in our investigation. But we would like for past victims to revisit the investigator that you made your report and see if you can help us to get rid of these impersonators and put them in a rightful place behind bars."

Daniel Ortiz
"Is it the thinking at this time that these impersonators who did this particular crime of relieving the weapon are persons who've done this in the recent past?"

Insp. Fitzroy Yearwood, PR Officer, Eastern Division North
"I must tell you that the first two incidents occurred on the 10th February and from the victims' description, it's almost fitting to the same description that we had from this one on Saturday morning."

But, a part of the problem is that it's kind of become accepted that police officers can go into the homes of residents without any identification, or without any search warrants. Here one this newscast, we've encountered countless complaints from persons in the public that police raids were done on their homes, and when they tried to deny the police entry for not having search warrants, they were treated to a beat down, all because they were - as the police claim - resisting arrest.

We asked the Inspector about that, and he told us that you should not settle for that type of policing anymore:

Daniel Ortiz
"Most officers don't come with search warrants. They come with force and with aggression - I am the police, I don't need to identify myself to you. Do you accept or do you concede that is contributing to what happening here?"

Insp. Fitzroy Yearwood, PR Officer, Eastern Division North
"Daniel, if officers were operating in that manner and members of the public didn't see it fit to report those officers, I must apologized for them the members of the public that believe that that is a norm. I know that at the police department, we must identify ourselves whenever we come in contact with any member of the public especially if we intend to search you, your home or search your motor vehicle. We have some rear cases and I must say rear where we can enter a premises without a search warrant to search for firearm, ammunition and drugs and these will only happen when it under suspicion. So if that was the norm or accepted norm by the general public, I must assure you that we at the police department do not promote that kind of approach."

Daniel Ortiz
"Whenever there is an officer who approaches them and that officer isn't identifying himself and you are not sure, but you are afraid that the office might come with brute force. How do you approach that officer and say I am not going to accede to your authority as police until you identify yourself? There is always that fear that the officer will use brutal force."

Insp. Fitzroy Yearwood, PR Officer, Eastern Division North
"Well, then again we have the professional standard board and I am very sure that these guys give you satisfaction. If you encounter any kind of brute force or any ways that you believe the police did not operate professionally, you make a report right at Raccoon Street."

As you heard, police are asking the persons who were the victims of these fake cops to return to their neighborhood police and try to assist them with any additional information, even if they may think it trivial.