An East Patchogue man was arrested after allegedly displaying an old hospital police identification card and badge while claiming to be a law enforcement officer during four Suffolk County traffic stops, prosecutors said.
Peterson Jules, 40, was arraigned Wednesday, Aug. 5, on four counts of second-degree criminal impersonation, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
Prosecutors allege Jules falsely represented himself as an active-duty member of the New York City Health and Hospitals Special Police during traffic stops in Patchogue and Medford between Feb. 17 and June 4.
During each stop, Jules allegedly identified himself as “a member of service,” a term commonly used by law enforcement personnel, and displayed an image on his cellphone showing a New York City Hospital Police identification card, a New York City badge and a badge number.
Authorities allege Jules used the image in an effort to avoid receiving traffic citations.
Investigators determined that Jules had worked as a special officer for New York City Health and Hospitals before he was terminated in April 2022, prosecutors said.
“The allegations against this defendant represent a deliberate pattern of violating traffic laws and evading accountability through criminal impersonation of a hospital police officer,” Tierney said.
Jules was arraigned before District Court Judge Susan A. Berland. Each criminal impersonation charge is a Class A misdemeanor.
Berland ordered Jules released without bail because the charges are not eligible for bail under current New York law.
Jules is scheduled to return to court Aug. 18. He is represented by Anna Espinosa.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Public Corruption Squad conducted the investigation with assistance from the Suffolk County Police Department.
The charges are accusations. Jules is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
