Lethbridge man arrested for alleged impersonation of police
Posted May 12, 2026 10:47 am.
Last Updated May 12, 2026 3:44 pm.
A 20-year-old southern Alberta man is facing charges for allegedly impersonating an officer after receiving warnings from Lethbridge police.
Lethbridge police say, on Friday, officers spotted a black Ford Explorer along Mayor Magrath Drive south with a push bar, light bar, and LED lights. It also had a sticker “Police interceptor” on the rear bumper, and antennas similar to those found on other police vehicles.
After pulling the vehicle over, officers noticed it was outfitted with emergency equipment and bars on the blacked-out rear passenger windows, and an ignition switch capable of controlling the equipment.
The driver, who was previously pulled over, warned, ticketed and directed to remove the equipment, was arrested and now faces charges.
Meanwhile, the vehicle was seized and towed to the police compound.
As a result, 20-year-old Will Nicholas Waddell of Lethbridge has been charged with impersonating an officer and is due in court on July 8.
“In Canada, it is illegal to outfit a civilian vehicle with equipment including red and blue lights, sirens, push bars, spotlights and decals or markings containing “Police” or any official police crest, that could cause the public to mistake it for an active police vehicle” officers in Lethbridge say.
They remind the public that when purchasing a decommissioned vehicle, the owner must remove all decals, lights, and any specialized equipment before it can be driven on the road.
