Temple Terrace Police Charge Man With Impersonating Officer

When a man claiming to be a reserve deputy seemed uncertain of jurisdictional boundaries, the Temple Terrace police officers he was talking to became suspicious.

Daniel Rangel Jr., 22, of Tampa, pulled up to the officers shortly after 2 a.m. Monday as they were conducting foot patrols around the city’s downtown redevelopment area near 56th Street and Bullard Parkway. According to a City of Temple Terrace press release, Rangel was driving a white Ford Crown Victoria sedan, which resembled a plain white unmarked patrol car.

Rangel started a conversation with the officers through the lowered passenger-side window of the car, the release states. He was dressed in a black polo shirt with an embroidered Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office emblem and black cargo military-style pants. He was also wearing a gun belt with a tactical-style thigh holster and handgun.

“During the encounter, Rangel identified himself as an HCSO reserve deputy, and spoke with officers about possible criminal activity in the area,” the release states.

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Police eventually realized that Rangel was not really a deputy, but rather a member of the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Citizen Patrol Program, according to the release.

“Rangel is employed by G-Force Security Inc. and currently possesses a permit that allows him to work as an armed security officer,” the release states.

Rangel was arrested and charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and unlawful use of police indicia, according to arrest records. He was released from the Hillsborough County jail after posting $2,500 bond.