Plainfield man impersonated officer at apartment complex: cops

A Plainfield man impersonated a police officer as he tried to speak to an apartment complex manager by displaying a badge that said “psychophysiologist forensic interviewer,” police said.

Shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday, officers were sent to the Enclave at 127th Apartment Homes on West 127th Street near Route 59 in response to a report of Frederick Harwood, 50, impersonating an officer, said Plainfield police Cmdr. Anthony Novak.

While officers were en route, Harwood left the area in a vehicle, Novak said. The officers spoke with a complainant who claimed Harwood demanded to speak with a manager and said it was a “police matter,” he said.

Novak took out a wallet which had a badge embedded inside that said, “psychophysiologist forensic interviewer,” Novak said. Officers who investigated the incident received no indication of Harwood actually holding that position, he said.

Novak said Harwood used the badge to pretend he was an officer.

The officers learned Harwood became aggressive with the apartment complex staff when the manager refused to speak with him, Novak said. Harwood peered in windows, looking for the manager, he said.

Harwood returned to the apartment complex while officers were still there, Novak said, but refused to speak to them officers without an attorney.

Harwood was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and impersonating an officer, Novak said.

A judge ordered Harwood to obtain mental health evaluation, comply with any recommendations of the evaluation and maintain absolute sobriety, records show.