New Jersey Statutes
N.J. Stat. § 2C:28-8 (2026)
Impersonating a public servant or law enforcement officer
✓ current as of May 2026
2C:28-8. Impersonating a public servant or law enforcement officer.
a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if he falsely pretends to hold a position in the public service with purpose to induce another to submit to such pretended official authority or otherwise to act in reliance upon that pretense.
b. A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he falsely pretends to hold a position as an officer or member or employee or agent of any organization or association of law enforcement officers with purpose to induce another to submit to such pretended official authority or otherwise to act in reliance upon that pretense.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10
cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2012–2026 · leading case: United States v. Douglas Chappell, 691 F.3d 388 (4th Cir. 2012).
United States v. Douglas Chappell, 691 F.3d 388 (4th Cir. 2012). “268, § 33 (requiring that the impersonator "acts as [a police officer] or requires a person to aid or assist him in a matter pertaining to the duty of such officer"); N.J. Stat. § 2C:28-8 (requiring "purpose to induce another to submit to such pre- tended official authority or…”
State of New Jersey Vs. Davon M. Gordon (14-06-1582, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019). “Defendant was convicted of impersonating a public servant or law enforcement officer under N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8. N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b), the provision specifically referring to impersonating a law enforcement officer,3 provides: A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he…”
State of New Jersey Vs. J.L. (14-03-0766, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “appeals from an April 21, 2017 order denying his petition for post-conviction relief (PCR) and for leave to withdraw his guilty plea to fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b). Defendant contends that his plea was not knowing and voluntary and…”
State of New Jersey Vs. Shamir Modestin (12-05-1451, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2020). “2C:20-3(a); fourth-degree impersonating a public servant, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8; second-degree conspiracy to commit kidnapping/flight, N.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Anthony L. Sledge (11-04-0765, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019). “2C:12-10(b), and fourth degree impersonating a police officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8. On November 29, 2011, defendant pled guilty to first degree robbery and third degree aggravated criminal sexual contact.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Steven P. Rinck (13-02-0373, Monmouth Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “On February 25, 2013, a Monmouth County Grand Jury returned indictment number 13-02-0373, charging defendant with four counts of fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b) (counts one, two, thirteen and fourteen); two counts of first-degree armed…”
State of New Jersey Vs. Scott Geddes (14-05-0625, Bergen Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2020). “2C:39-7(a); impersonating a law-enforcement officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b); possession of a false government-issued identification, N.”
In the Matter of Benjamin Ruiz, City of Perth Amboy, Dep't of Pub. Saf. (new Jersey Civil Serv. Comm'n) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021). “He was charged with: fourth- degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b); fourth- degree stalking, N.”
State of New Jersey v. Wendell Allman (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025). “2C:39-5(b)(1) (count one) and fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b) (count two). On August 21, 2019, the State denied defendant's request for a Graves Act waiver pursuant to N.”
State of New Jersey v. J.D.K. (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2026). “The court found defendant was placed on probation on December 20, 2019, following a conviction for fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b). While defendant was on probation in 2020, he sexually assaulted A.”
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:28-8(a) — 1 case
State of New Jersey Vs. Davon M. Gordon (14-06-1582, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019). “Defendant was convicted of impersonating a public servant or law enforcement officer under N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8. N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b), the provision specifically referring to impersonating a law enforcement officer,3 provides: A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he…”
— N.J. Stat. § 2C:28-8(b) — 8 cases
State of New Jersey Vs. Davon M. Gordon (14-06-1582, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019). “Defendant was convicted of impersonating a public servant or law enforcement officer under N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8. N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b), the provision specifically referring to impersonating a law enforcement officer,3 provides: A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he…”
State of New Jersey Vs. J.L. (14-03-0766, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “appeals from an April 21, 2017 order denying his petition for post-conviction relief (PCR) and for leave to withdraw his guilty plea to fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b). Defendant contends that his plea was not knowing and voluntary and…”
State of New Jersey Vs. Steven P. Rinck (13-02-0373, Monmouth Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “On February 25, 2013, a Monmouth County Grand Jury returned indictment number 13-02-0373, charging defendant with four counts of fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b) (counts one, two, thirteen and fourteen); two counts of first-degree armed…”
State of New Jersey Vs. Shamir Modestin (12-05-1451, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2020). “2C:20-3(a); fourth-degree impersonating a public servant, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8; second-degree conspiracy to commit kidnapping/flight, N.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Scott Geddes (14-05-0625, Bergen Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2020). “2C:39-7(a); impersonating a law-enforcement officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-8(b); possession of a false government-issued identification, N.”
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