CAMPTON — Police are asking for the public's help in their investigation of a man who impersonated a police officer Tuesday night by pulling over a driver, asking for her driver's license and registration and demanding to search her car.

Campton Police Chief Christopher Warn said a man driving an SUV with bright blue lights on the grille used his lights to signal a 22-year-old female driver, who was driving alone, to pull her car over at about 10 p.m. on Route 175 in what is known as the Upper Village of Campton.

After she pulled over and opened her window, the driver was suspicious, when the driver of the SUV approached wearing a dark-colored raincoat, plain clothes, and a baseball-style cap.

“There were no badges or identifying police insignia seen,” Warn said in a press release.

When the driver questioned the man's identity and began dialing her cell phone, he got in his SUV and drove off, and was last seen traveling into Thornton.

Warn said he will not release the name of the woman driver, but said she is not from the Campton area.

Local and New Hampshire State Police haven't had reports of similar activity in the area recently, but they are asking the public for help identifying the man. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Campton Police Department at 726-8874.

“If anyone has had similar circumstances occur to them or someone they know, we ask that they contact their local police department or the New Hampshire State Police,” Warn said.

A law passed in 2008 raised the crime of impersonating a law enforcement officer to a Class B felony punishable by up to 7 years in jail.

Warn issued some general guidelines for drivers with regard to law enforcement officers.

“Drivers are reminded that police vehicles are typically marked and have a specialized license plate indicating they are police vehicles.

The officer will have a full uniform on in most cases, but if she or he is in plain clothes, will offer the driver his/her identification for their inspection,” Warn said.

Typically, officers in unmarked vehicles will request a marked cruiser to come to the stop, “but it is acceptable for a driver to ask for another officer if they are suspicious of the officer's identity,” he said.

If signaled to stop by a police vehicle, drivers should slow down and pull off in an area that is well lit.

“I have seen some drivers activate their 4-way flashers while doing so, indicating that they are aware that they are being stopped and looking for a place to pull over where they feel safe,” Warn said.

dseufert@newstote.com