On This Day, 20 August 1917

Birmingham Mail

Monday 20th August 1917

“I’M A POLICEMAN”

Some persons may not be aware that it is a punishable offence for a man wrongly to represent that he is a police officer. In a case heard at the Birmingham Police Court, today, Walter Cooper (25), toolmaker, 134, Peel Street, Winson Green, was brought up on a charge of being an absentee under Military Service Act, and also with representing himself to be a police officer.

It was stated that Police-sergeant J. McDonnell saw Cooper in Hill Street about 1 a.m. this morning, and on asking him the nature of his business received the reply that he (accused) was a policeman. The officer said that he, too, was a police-officer, and produced his warrant, and as defendant was unable to give similar evidence he was taken to the station.- Defendant was remanded.