Pugwash man charged for claiming to be police officer

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The RCMP in Cumberland County have laid charges against a man for personating a police officer.

According to police, officers were called to reports of a man offering a ride to a youth in Pugwash on Tuesday morning. Police say a youth was approached by a man in a blue car, who told the child he was a police officer and offered them a ride.

The Mounties say the man drove off after the youth refused several times.

That same evening, officers arrested Brian Forsythe, 73, and charged him with personating a police officer and attempted abduction of a person under 16. Forsythe was released on conditions with a court date scheduled for early February.

“The vehicle Forsythe was driving did not have any police-related markings or decals,” read a media release from the RCMP. “Through the investigation to date, there is no indication that he was wearing any part of a uniform or other police-related clothing, and he did not present a police or peace officer badge.”

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The RCMP’s Cpl. Troy Gill says the Mounties don’t believe there is any increased safety risk in the community but acknowledges the situation is “serious and concerning”.

Anyone with information or concerns about the identity of a police officer is asked to reach out to their local RCMP detachment.