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It was a case of stolen identity when a police impersonator was caught shoplifting in the North Shore on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old had several convincing, but forged, police business cards claiming he was a constable at Takapuna.
North Shore police commander Inspector Les Paterson said the man was not a policeman.
Business cards are not proof a person is a police officer, Mr Paterson said.
"Our police investigators are often dressed in plain clothes but if anyone has doubts about the identity of such a person then they can request to view the officer's formal identity card or call their local police station to verify them," he said.
Police do not use private email accounts such as hotmail, Mr Paterson said, indicating the impersonator had used such an address on his cards.
Mr Paterson was concerned about the amount of damage the impersonator had done to the police image on the North Shore.
The impersonator was charged with theft and impersonating a police officer and was to appear in North Shore District Court on Monday. He is currently on bail.
- NZPA
