Man Posing As Cop Arrested In Ferndale

FERNDALE (WWJ) - Ferndale police have a man behind bars who they believe has been posing as a cop.

Police say 38-year-old Maurice Lawson, of Southfield, was stopped around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday for speeding on 8 Mile Road near Livernois.

When the officer approached the pick-up truck, he noticed Lawson was wearing a badge around his neck, which was attached to a leather backing and chain like that used by plain clothes officers.

According to police, Lawson insisted he was an officer for Detroit Schools Public Safety, even though he wasn't able to produce any identification.

Police say the officer arrested Lawson for not having a license on him and searched his truck, where the officer discovered a pair of handcuffs and hunting knife in a compartment on the side of the driver's door.

Police say further investigation revealed that Lawson is not, nor ever was a police officer.

Lawson was jailed on a $5,000 bond after being arraigned on charges of unlawful possession of a police badge, a 93 day misdemeanor, and carrying a concealed weapon, a five-year felony.