BAY MINETTE — Whether you see a flashing blue light in dense traffic while in the passing lane on U.S. 31, or on a shoulderless, country road at night, motorists should follow an officer’s reasonable request and be watchful for suspicious behavior, according to Bay Minette Police Chief Mike Rowland.

Recent accounts of a male impersonating an officer and pulling over female drivers has caused safety concerns and an erosion of public confidence in some jurisdictions. But Rowland said the rogue cop has not affected Bay Minette residents.

“People in Bay Minette know our officers because we are high profile,” Rowland said. “When a new cop comes on board, we get lots of calls asking who the new person is.”

He said the cop impersonator acts out in larger jurisdictions like Mobile and Pensacola where the public cannot know all the lawmen.

Rowland said motorists and patrol officers should follow legal procedures mixed with common sense during a traffic stop.

“If a motorist sees a blue light in crowded traffic, they should roll down the window and motion that they are moving forward to a safe exit,” Rowland said. “The motorist should not speed up.

“The point is to pull over as soon as possible but not necessarily immediately.”

Most professionally trained officers are taught to keep motorists in the vehicle unless roadside tests are planned.

“There’s a safety factor to keep the motorist from the danger of being hit by a vehicle and a personal safety factor for the officer,” he said. “For female motorists who are stopped and asked to get out without a reason, that would be a red flag for me.”

Drivers are required to have a driver’s license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration readily available.

An officer is required to provide a name, badge and credentials.

“If there are no credentials or if the driver feels mistreated, they should ask the officer to call a supervisor to the scene,” Rowland said. “If the officer can’t produce a supervisor, you have an invalid stop and the motorist should drive off.”

If a suspicious stop, motorists should use cell phone cameras to take a photo of the officer if possible and call 911 to see if an officer has called in a stop at that location.

 “That’s what the woman did last week in Pensacola when she was stopped by the impersonator,” Rowland said. “He must have had a scanner, because he left right after the call.

“If you don’t call 911, call a spouse or a friend, tell them where you are and don’t hang up.”

The BMPD has 16 patrol officers who handled 1,500 calls for service last month.  Over 400 traffic stops were made and 337 tickets issued.

“About 80 percent of the time is spent on patrol,” he said. “Officers are busy and won’t spend more than about eight minutes on a routine traffic stop.

“If it seems like the officer is not in a hurry or you don’t hear radio traffic, or you feel something isn’t right, call for a supervisor, roll your window up, lock your doors and don’t get out of the car without a reason.”