Suspected Repeat Police Impersonator Arrested Again

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis police on Tuesday arrested a convicted felon suspected of routinely impersonating police officers.

Dennis Wayne Carlyle, 60, was arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license of the second time in less than a week, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.

He's well known to police, who said they've stopped him before, removing red and blue lights, along with police radios tuned to SWAT and other sensitive channels from his vehicle.

Carlyle was once caught directing traffic on 96th Street while wearing a police uniform, complete with a replica handgun, investigators said.

But Carlyle, who said he runs his own private security firm, claimed Tuesday he was innocent.

"I'm not doing anything illegal. There is nothing illegal in my car or me, OK?" he said during his arrest.

Carlyle's younger brother, Ronald Carlyle, has been arrested multiple times on suspicion of impersonating a police officer. In 2005, he was sentenced to 30 days home detention after pleading guilty to making 17 illegal traffic stops in Hancock County.

Dr. Margie Keaton, a forensic psychologist at the University of Indianapolis, said many impersonators are police wannabes, some who have washed out of the academy or security work.

"I think criminals in particular will impersonate a police officer, simply for the fact that it legitimizes the appearance of a criminal act and it allows them access to their victims," she said. "You're going to have some that are doing this for the thrills and kicks, but you're going to have some that are very dangerous, and there's no sense taking a chance with it."

Investigators said the crime is also a relatively easy one. Decals, patches and lights are easily obtained online and in uniform supply stores.

Police said impersonator cases make it more difficult to gain the trust of the public.

"You have people out here that are apprehensive about the police when they get stopped. But to have someone out here that's impersonating a public servant causes us more headaches," said Officer Andre Bell.

Police stress that officers who drive unmarked cars must be in full uniform to make a traffic stop. Officers in marked cars can be out of uniform, but must show a badge and picture ID.