The son of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson has been arrested for impersonating a peace officer.

Shortly before Noon, News 5 was the only media on the scene as Sands Stimpson was released from Mobile Metro Jail on bond. He did not comment to News 5 as he exited the building and left in a vehicle.Soon after his son's release, Mayor Stimpson took to Twitter to address the arrest.

"Today, my son Sands, was pulled over," the Mayor tweeted.

"In compliance with the officer's request, he provided identification, including his State of Alabama Deputy Game and Fish Warden badge." the second tweet said.

"Sands is in the process of retaining a personal lawyer to further address and resolve this misunderstanding," read the third tweet.

"My family and I respect our law enforcement officers for the job they perform, particularly on this holiday weekend," ended Stimpson.

In a press release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, a trooper pulled Stimpson over for speeding (77 mph in a 55 mph zone). Sands identified himself as a game and fish officer. Stimpson has a Deputy Fish and Game Warden badge, but the trooper was suspicious and called the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. A captain with the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division went to the scene and said Stimpson was not an employee. Stimpson was then charged with impersonating a peace officer.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says the Conservation Enforcement Officer is an honorary position.

News 5 has learned that impersonating a police officer in Alabama is a Class C Felony, punishable by one to ten years in prison.

The case is being handled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).

Alabama State Trooper press release

https://www.scribd.com/doc/266290783/Sandys-Miller-Stimpson-Arrest

More on this developing story on News 5 at 5pm, 6pm and 10pm.

Sounds like someone in the Dept. gave him a badge and he was trying to get out of a ticket

there is more to this arrest than is being reported.....none of this adds up to an arrest.

Troy, is flashing the badge not enough?

Matt, my understanding is that just showing a badge is not enough, one must commit some overt act.

I've dealt with this a number of times. Flashing a badge is impersonating a public servant (misdemeanor) IDing yourself and then do an act that a game warden would do, check fishing license for example is impersonating a peace officer (felony)

The story doesn't give info to make it a felony so there must be more to it.

what I was thinking....and I'd be surprised if Stimpson didn't have a Deputy GW ID issued by the Dept.

it's funny how when people are in/ or around politics breaking the law seems to always be a "misunderstanding".

Sands Stimpson, son of Mayor Sandy Stimpson, was arrested and charged with impersonating a peace officer Friday. Both his father and attorney have said this was a misunderstanding. Sands released this statement just before 6:00 p.m. Saturday:

"Yesterday while I was driving to work I was stopped by an Alabama State Trooper. When he came to my window he said I was speeding. My Department of Conservation Deputy Game Warden Badge was sitting on my console. He asked about it and after some discussion, he contacted the Department of Conservation to verify my position as a Deputy Game Warden.

Unfortunately, he must have been unable to verify that I had been deputized, or that I had authorization to be in possession of a Deputy Game Warden badge.

I am attaching the letter I received from the Director of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries in 2007 appointing me as a deputy game warden. The letter is self explanatory.

My commission is specifically authorized for private property in Clarke County, Alabama. I am the third generation of my family to have a deputy game warden commission and badge. For more than 80 years my family has vigorously supported the efforts of the Department of Conservation to protect Alabama's wildlife and their natural environment.

I would like to also correct inaccuracies in media reporting that include statements as to how I was dressed, i.e. "green pants like a game warden." Yes, I had on green Bass Pro Shop work pants because I'm in the construction business. Also, I was wearing an orange shirt. There were no "blue lights" on my vehicle, nor do I own nor have I ever owned any "blue lights." This information is simply false.

I was certainly driving too fast yesterday, and for that I apologize, but I never represented myself as something that I am not. During my interaction with the law enforcement officers they handled themselves in a professional manner, and I hope that they will attest that I did likewise. I look forward to a speedy resolution of this matter

WTF is the DCNR giving out "honorary officer" badges, letters or anything like that to anyone to start with? That's horsecrap.

I knew someone years ago that had a Honorary Deputy badge. It's basically a free pass if you get stopped for something. Most officers keep their license in the badge case so the officer asking for a license will see it.

Like I said..I bet he has a legit Deputy GW badge.....

Clem, the Dept has done this for many, many years. Basically the badge gives you no more power than an ordinary citizen has, and any use of those powers is limited to specific private property named in print on the letter from the Dept. A Deputy GW cannot write anyone a departmental ticket(bail bond), but he can, like anyone, go sign a warrant on anyone they catch breaking the law on their land. It looks good and may be intimidating to an outlaw poacher they catch on their land. If you don't know it, there CAN be a great deal of difference in a caught outlaws reaction/actions between being caught by a plain Joe and someone with a badge.

A Deputy GW badge is not the same as those handed out by local county Sherriffs, it requires a LOT more effort to get and requires monthly paperwork/reports from the Deputy GW.

Sandy Stimpson was on the Conservation Advisory Board back in the late 1990s or early 2000s, too.

I'm more interested in if he got a ticket for going 77
on a 55 mph road.

I'd bet he got the ticket. I'd also bet he pays it. And the other gets dismissed.

Yep...

Where do I sign up for one of these?

You'd think the state's supposed big "watchdog media group" based in B'ham would be interested in how many honorary badges are given, who has them and why the real law enforcement officers may give folks who have them a pass.

The Montgomery Agonizer used to have good investigative folks but now after layoffs and such, they barely have a pot to pee in much less a window to toss it out of.

In the article I read the head officer said they don't give out a badge. He was a deputy officer but Dodd, I believe was who they quoted, said there is no badge given.