Fake police officer? Personating one is a crime.

Myth or fact?

What people often think.

• Myth: Wearing a police uniform is fine if no money is taken.
• Fact: Wearing the garb of public servants, so that people believe you are one, is an offence by itself (PPC s.171).

The law.

Section 170, PPC.

“Whoever, pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office or falsely personates any other person holding such office, and in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description, for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”

Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 170, Personating a public servant

Two offences.

Sections 170 and 171, PPC.

• Personating, s.170Pretending to hold a public office, and acting or trying to act under its colour.
• Garb or token, s.171Wearing a uniform or carrying a token like theirs, so people believe it.

How serious?

The prison terms.

• Section 170Up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
• Section 171Up to 3 months, or fine, or both.

Quick quiz. The checkpoint.

Guess first, then swipe for the answer.

• A. s.170 only
• B. s.171 only
• C. Both may apply

Answer: C. Both may apply.

Two acts, two sections.

• The demandActing under colour of the office he pretends to hold: s.170.
• The jacketWearing the garb so you believe he is police: s.171.

Police can act fast.

CrPC Schedule II.

• Section 170May arrest without warrant. Warrant case. Bailable. Not compoundable.
• Section 171May arrest without warrant. Summons case. Bailable. Not compoundable.

Check before you comply.

Stay calm and stay safe.

• AskName, rank and police station.
• NoteThe vehicle number, the place and the time.
• ConfirmCall 15 and ask if the officer is real.

What to do.

Three steps, in this order.

• RecordFace, badge, vehicle number, witnesses.
• Call 15Personating is cognizable (Schedule II, s.170).
• FIRAt the police station, under CrPC s.154.

Stopped by a fake?

Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.

• Someone posing as police took money from my brother. Which sections apply?
• What is the punishment for personating a public servant under section 170 PPC?

Example questions

Sources

• Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 170
  Personating a public servant Pakistan Code