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Police say man may have pretended to be officer for years

OAK HARBOR, Wash. — Oak Harbor police said a man who was arrested on criminal impersonation charges may have been pretending to be a police officer for years.

On August 6, Oak Harbor officers were dispatched to a call for an off-duty police officer who needed help at Northeast Harvest Drive and Northeast Faber Street.

The officers arrived and found two men and one woman.  As the officers began to interview those involved, they determined that the woman and one of the men had been in an argument when a third man, identified as Jim Bailey, intervened and told them he was a retired police officer.

Bailey then told them to call 911 and say a police officer needed assistance, according to the three people involved in the incident.  The officers at the scene told them that Bailey was not a police officer.

Oak Harbor detectives later started an investigation into Bailey, and after speaking with people who know him, officers developed enough probable cause to arrest him on charges of impersonation of a police officer.

Police said they obtained a search warrant for Bailey’s home and car, and numerous items were recovered that indicated Bailey may have been impersonating a police officer for many years.  Police said Baily also may have been paid for training and giving lectures throughout Washington State under the guise of being a retired police officer.

Oak Harbor detectives would like to talk to any people or organizations who may have been a victim of Bailey. Detectives may be reached at 360-279-4600.