Pretend policeman a serial imposter

A PORTARLINGTON man pretended he was a police officer and confronted tradies who were parking in his neighbourhood.

Robert Allen — a 63-yearold medical scientist at St John of God Hospital — pleaded guilty to impersonating a police officer in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday. It was his third conviction of this nature.

“What’s his preoccupation with impersonating police?,” magistrate Cynthia Toose asked.

She was told the man’s prior offences happened in 2005 and 2010, one for impersonating a police officer, the other for impersonating a medical practitioner.

“This behaviour is really a symptom of his mental illness,” the defendant’s lawyer said.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Kerrie Moroney told the court that Allen confronted two tradesmen who were working on a house on Langdon St, Portarlington, about their parking habits on March 20.

“I’m a Senior Sergeant Detective but I don’t have my badge on me,” he told them.

Promising to return the next day in uniform, the man showed the workers a business card to prove his claim, but concealed part of the card with his thumb.

While the card possibly looked legitimate, the men were sceptical and took a photo of Allen before he left and reported the matter to police.

Allen’s lawyer admitted his client had “overstepped the mark”, recognised his actions were inappropriate, and was seeking help for serious physical and mental health issues.

He also pointed out the man stood to make no “real gain” from his lie to the tradesmen.

But Ms Toose said it was a “very concerning matter”.

“Police do have a special place in the community,” she said.

The magistrate convicted Allen, fined him $2000 and warned him a jail term would be on the cards if he repeated this type of offending.