The boy walked into the Grand Crossing police station in Chicago's 3rd district wearing a Chicago police uniform and told the officers that he was from another district but had been detailed to Grand Crossing for the day.  The teenager had an empty holster and a non-functional bullet resistant vest, stuffed with newspapers. 

 

Then he turned out to be brave enough to sign out a police radio and ticket book, before going on traffic stops with another officer, his partner for the day. A few hours later, after his duty time was up, the boy was discovered to be an impostor when he couldn't produce any police credentials and a senior officer realized back at the station that there was something wrong with the young cop.  The boy was then arrested, and is due to appear in juvenile court at 10:00 A.M. on Monday.

 

It looks like the 14-year-old was a former Explorer, part of the community policing program, where young kids in the neighborhood are encouraged to interact with police.

 

This teenager took the encouragement a little too far, but he did not write any tickets and is not believed to have interacted with the public directly. The boy’s identity has not been disclosed because he is a juvenile and now, real cops are trying to figure out how he acquired the uniform.

 

It is a relief that the boy did not interfere with police work, causing a tragedy but it is unacceptable that a 14 year old can walk in to a police station and not even have to show ID before he can check out police equipment and go out on the street.