Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Hitman
As I've been told, and anyone civillian who wears the police logos will be charged for impersonating the police.
DO NOT have anything that will represent the police, or have any police on the items.
If it does look legit, you can be charged. Doesn't matter what you're doing.
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According to the Criminal Code of Canada....
Quote:
Personating peace officer
130. (1) Everyone commits an offence who
(a) falsely represents himself to be a peace officer or a public officer; or
(b) not being a peace officer or public officer, uses a badge or article of uniform or equipment in a manner that is likely to cause persons to believe that he is a peace officer or a public officer, as the case may be.
Punishment
(2) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection (1)
(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or
(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 130;2009, c. 28, s. 2.
Source
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Now that said, for the past few years friends and I have gone out for Halloween as members of the New York Police Department. As I created the uniforms for our group, I went to great lengths to ensure an authentic appearance. Has this resulted in us being charged with impersonating a peace officer on Halloween? No. This is for two reasons: 1) We never attempt to exert any authority over anyone, thus we are not attempting to gain anything by being dressed as we are, and 2) by answering that we are in fact NOT peace officers and that the uniform is merely a costume.
I'll post a reference photo when I can. To date we have received more compliments than complaints in regards to our costumes.
So long as you are not going out for Halloween as a member of a Canadian police agency (and yes, unfortunately defunct or amalgamated agencies fall into this category) and you explain that it is only a costume you should be alright.
Specific to a Flashpoint-themed costume, bear in mind that NONE of the patches actually say "Toronto" on them and that they are a custom design. I am having the same issues attempting to track down Renard Parish Sheriff patches (from the HBO series 'True Blood'), but as they are a custom design they are difficult if not next to impossible to locate. Luckily there are some good reference photos for SRU crests, and a better than likely opportunity to be able to find them online. Failing that you could take the reference photos into a cresting agency and have them attempt a sample.
I hope this was of some help. Best of luck with the costume! If you need any help, don't be afraid to give me a shout.