18.2-175 - Unlawful wearing of officer's uniform or insignia; unlawful use of vehicle with word "police" shown thereon.

§ 18.2-175. Unlawful wearing of officer's uniform or insignia; unlawful useof vehicle with word "police" shown thereon.

No person, not such an officer as is referred to in § 19.2-78, shall wear anysuch uniform as is designated pursuant to the provisions of such section orwear an insignia or markings containing the Seal of the Commonwealth or theinsignia of any such officer's uniform, nor shall any person not such anofficer, or not authorized by such officer, or not authorized by the militarypolice of the armed forces or of the National Guard, or not authorized by themilitary police of other governmental agencies, use or cause to be used onthe public roads or highways of this Commonwealth, any motor vehicle bearingmarkings with the word "police" shown thereon. However, the prohibitionagainst wearing an insignia or markings containing the Seal of theCommonwealth shall not apply to any certified firefighter or to any certifiedor licensed emergency medical personnel. Any violation of this section shallbe a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(Code 1950, § 18.1-312; 1960, c. 358; 1966, c. 420; 1968, c. 675; 1975, cc.14, 15; 1979, c. 704; 1991, c. 424.)