An East Patchogue man is facing criminal charges after prosecutors say he repeatedly posed as an active law enforcement officer during traffic stops in Patchogue and Medford.

The man  was arrested and arraigned on four counts of second-degree criminal impersonation after allegedly using identification from a former law enforcement-related position to avoid traffic citations.

According to prosecutors, he had previously worked as a special officer with New York City Health and Hospitals before his employment ended in April 2022. Authorities allege that during four separate Suffolk County Police traffic stops between Feb. 17 and June 4, 2026, the man  identified himself as a “member of service” and displayed images on his cellphone showing an old hospital police identification card and New York City badge.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said the allegations involved a pattern of traffic violations followed by attempts to avoid accountability through criminal impersonation.

The suspect was arraigned Aug. 5 before District Court Judge Susan A. Berland and released without bail. The charges are Class A misdemeanors and are not bail eligible under current state law. He is scheduled to return to court Aug. 18. 

Source: News 12 Long Island