PICAYUNE —
Officers with the Picayune Police Department urge motorists to use caution when pulling over during a traffic stop.
Investigators with law enforcement agencies in northern Mississippi are investigating two shooting deaths that may involve a suspect posing as a police officer. Though it has not been confirmed that the suspect is posing as a police officer, the police department’s release says motorists should be cautious about pulling over during a traffic stop.
Most law enforcement vehicles are clearly marked. Picayune Police patrol vehicles feature black on white paint jobs with clear lettering, combined with blue strobe lights on the top of the vehicle. Sheriff’s Department vehicles are blue with yellow lettering or white with blue lettering and also feature blue strobe lights on top of the vehicle. Troopers with the Mississippi Highway Patrol drive vehicles with a gray paint job, with a blue and red stripe and yellow lettering.
While each department has unmarked vehicles, they have blue strobe lights installed inside the grills of the vehicles rather than on top, according to the release from the Picayune Police Department.
Any motorist who feels uncomfortable with a traffic stop, especially at night, is urged to turn on the vehicle’s flashers to indicate the driver has noticed the officer and intends to pull over. The driver should then drive slowly to a safe place to do so. The release suggests that if a motorist suspects a traffic stop is not being made by a police officer, the motorist should pull over in an area with lots of light, such as a quick stop or service station, and call 911 to determine whether an officer is making the stop.
Chief Bryan Dawsey suggests vehicles being pulled over also can drive to the Criminal Justice Center on Main Street to ensure an officer is conducting the stop.
“The safety of our citizens is our top priority,” Dorn said in the release.
Concerns of motorists could be heightened in light of the recent events in Panola County and Tunica County. According to Associated Press stories, 74-year-old Thomas Schlender of Raymond, Neb., and 48-year-old Lori Anne Carswell of Hernando, were each found in one of the two adjoining counties either in or near their vehicles, dead from gunshots. Neither car appeared to have mechanical problems, and the areas where the two victims were found were not heavily populated. The victims were found about 55 miles apart, the stories state.
Evidence is being analyzed, and while it is believed that the suspect is posing as a law officer, that suspicion has not been proven, the AP story states.
Local News
Pull over safely if foul play is suspected
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