Rape victim thought man was officer

Press, 24 May 1985, Page 3

Rape victim thought man was officer

PA Hamilton A woman taken from Hamilton and raped on Tuesday night believed she was dealing with a policeman or traffic officer, the police said yesterday. Detective Inspector Rex Miller yesterday warned women to ask for identification from any person who appeared to be a law enforcement officer, but who was not in uniform.

He said the Tuesday rape began when a man in a latemodel car flashed his lights at a lone woman motorist driving in front of him.

Mr Miller said the woman stopped her car after the flashing signal. The man following her then spoke to her and she gained the impression he was a law enforcement officer. He told her she was not in a fit state to drive and said he would take her home. Instead, he drove her to a farmhouse where the rape occurred, Mr Miller said. Mr Miller said the man was not wearing a uniform. He and the Ministry of Transport’s head superintendent, Mr Graeme Law-

rence, agreed that the best course for any woman unsure about the identity of a supposed law enforcement officer was to stay in her car and drive to the nearest police station, Ministry of Transport office, or well-lit service station. Mr Miller said the man’s vehicle could easily have been taken for a Ministry or police unmarked patrol car.

Women who were suspicious about the identity of such people should first ask for identification. If they were not satisfied, they should then drive to the places named, Mr Miller said.

In such cases, even if the person turned out to be an enforcement officer, police and traffic officers would not charge the woman for failing to stop for the officers.

Mr Lawrence said any traffic officer on duty would be in uniform and wearing the traffic officer’s cap.