(a) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
An employee of the United States who serves in a position, the duties of which are primarily the investigation, apprehension or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses under the criminal laws of the United States.
(2) IMPERSONATE.
To act the part of, assume the identity of, wear the uniform or any part of the uniform of or display the identification of a particular person or of a member of a class of persons with purpose to make another person believe that the actor is that particular person or is a member of that class of persons.
(3) INVESTIGATOR OF THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION.
Has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 2903.11.
(4) PEACE OFFICER.
A sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, deputy marshal, member of the organized police department of a municipal corporation or township constable who is employed by a political subdivision of this state, a member of a police force employed by a metropolitan housing authority under Ohio R.C. 3735.31(D), a member of a police force employed by a regional transit authority under Ohio R.C. 306.35(Y), a state university law enforcement officer appointed under Ohio R.C. 3345.04, a veterans’ home police officer appointed under Ohio R.C. 5907.02, a special police officer employed by a port authority under Ohio R.C. 4582.04 or 4582.28, or a state highway patrol trooper and whose primary duties are to preserve the peace, to protect life and property and to enforce the laws, ordinances or rules of the state or any of its political subdivisions.
(5) PRIVATE POLICE OFFICER.
Any security guard, special police officer, private detective or other person who is privately employed in a police capacity.
(b) No person shall impersonate a peace officer, private police officer, a federal law enforcement officer or investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
(c) No person, by impersonating a peace officer, a private police officer, a federal law enforcement officer, or Investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, shall arrest or detain any person, search any person or search the property of any person.
(d) No person, with purpose to commit or facilitate the commission of an offense, shall impersonate a peace officer, a private police officer, a federal law enforcement officer or investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation or an officer, agent or employee of the state or the municipality.
(e) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (b) above that the impersonation of the peace officer was for a lawful purpose.
(f) No person shall falsely pretend or represent himself or herself to be a public official or public servant with intent to induce another to submit to such pretended official authority or otherwise to act in reliance upon that pretense to his or her prejudice.
(Ord. 6943, passed 12-21-1976) Penalty, see § 525.99