A man from east-central Iowa is charged with impersonating an officer. Kevin Hutchins of Palo was driving his car equipped with blue lights that identify him as a volunteer firefighter, when he spotted another driver making what he considered an improper lane-change on a suburban road on the southeast side of Iowa City.
Hutchins admits he turned on the blue lights on his car, pulled over the other motorist and spoke to her about her driving. She later called police, and he was charged with impersonating a public official. Only law-enforcement workers have authority to stop other drivers. After an initial court appearance Thursday morning, Hutchins was released on his own recognizance. He could face two years in jail and a fine of up to five-thousand dollars.