Impersonation of a peace officer or firefighter during a state of emergency or local emergency.

Senators Valladares and Pérez have put forward legislation to establish heightened penalties for individuals who impersonate peace officers or firefighters during declared emergencies in California. The proposal modifies existing state law, which currently treats such impersonation as a misdemeanor regardless of circumstances.

Under the proposed changes, impersonating a peace officer, firefighter, or fire marshal during a state or local emergency would become a "wobbler" offense - chargeable as either a misdemeanor or felony. The misdemeanor option maintains current penalties of up to one year in county jail and a $2,000 fine. The new felony provision would allow state imprisonment and fines up to $10,000. The bill retains existing requirements for uniform vendors to verify purchaser credentials and maintains exemptions for theatrical productions with prior written authorization.

The legislation preserves current provisions allowing agencies to issue identification to honorably retired officers while authorizing the revocation of such credentials if misused. Local law enforcement agencies would continue to have authority to seize fraudulent badges and related materials used in impersonation crimes. The bill specifies that local agencies will not receive state reimbursement for costs associated with implementing these changes, as they stem from modifications to criminal penalties.