INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis man was arrested this week on charges of impersonating a police officer at the U.S. Conference of Mayors downtown.
Gary Cooper, 52, was reportedly spotted ordering people to vacate an area at the JW Marriott or face arrest. Cooper reportedly identified himself to hotel staff and guests as an IMPD officer.
Officials said Cooper was wearing what looked like a police uniform with a police identification card that had an Indiana seal in the background with the city of Indianapolis logo over it. Cooper was also carrying two magazines and what looked like a handgun holstered on his waist.
When police confronted Cooper, he reportedly said he made the identification card and had "looked online" for an attorney who could validate it for police work. It was also discovered that Cooper is a convicted felon with no authorized gun permit. The "handgun" he was carrying was found to be an airsoft pistol.
Cooper told police he was working for an IMPD detective. It was later determined the detective had hired Cooper as security staff and had given him explicit directions on what his responsibilities were, "specifically, to remain at a stationary position on a designated floor, and monitor equipment and hotel guests."
Upon hearing from several people that Cooper had identified himself as an IMPD officer, police arrested Cooper on preliminary charges of impersonating and officer.
JW Marriott General Manager Phil Ray released the following statement about the incident to RTV6:
“The JW Marriott Indianapolis contracted with a third-party vendor, Covert Secure Inc., for additional security over the weekend. This individual had worked at the hotel about four times previously, and he presented himself to the hotel associates as an officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, similar to other off-duty officers who had been hired through Covert Secure Inc. in the past. The hotel is disappointed by his actions toward its guests and moving forward will ensure a third-party vendor uses only off-duty law enforcement personnel at the hotel in the future.”
