Gregory Sumter, 57, has been charged following an incident at the 6200 block of Baltimore National Pike in Catonsville, Maryland, on the evening of July 23. Officers from the Baltimore County Police department were called to reports of a weapons incident around 7:20 p.m.
The alleged victim told police that an altercation broke out between her and Sumter after she had honked her car horn at him because his truck was blocking entry into the Walmart parking lot. The woman eventually drove around the vehicle and parked in the lot, but Sumter followed her and blocked her in.
Sumter is accused of getting out of the car and identifying himself as an officer. He then pulled out a silver badge and threatened the victim and her children with a handgun.
An off-duty officer who was working uniformed secondary employment at Walmart then arrived at the scene and spoke with Sumter. The suspect denied the accusations, but witnesses to the incident confirmed the victim’s version of events.
A Special Police State of Maryland badge and a loaded revolver were later confiscated from the suspect. He told police that he was a ex-special police officer and did not return his badge when he retired.
Sumter was arrested and charged with first degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle, and impersonating a police officer. He is currently being held without bond.
In Maryland, a special police officer is a type of security guard who is authorized to arrest people if they trespass on a property which they have been hired to protect. They are also authorized to direct and control traffic around the vicinity of the property they are guarding. It is not clear in what circumstances Sumter used to work as a special officer.
There is no specific training required prior to becoming a special officer. According to the Maryland State Police website, the two requirements for applying are that the applicant must be at least 18-years-old and “of good moral character.”
Baltimore County Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Peach told the Baltimore Sun that it’s rare that anyone does impersonate a police officer “but it does happen.”
