DE — Berlin. While under the supervision of the State Criminal Police Office for convictions of sexual assault and misuse of titles, a man was able to infiltrate the local police force and pose as a policewoman for two years before the fraud was detected.

Just as Ömer K had begun identifying as a woman at some point in time, started hormones to transition to a feminine resemblance, and renamed himself Lara, he has more recently begun identifying as a police officer, memorized crime laws and purchased a uniform, weapons and other gear to pass as a member of Police Directorate 5.

Mr K, already the subject of a ban on carrying weapons and dangerous objects due to previous offenses, says he purchased a truncheon and pepper spray, as well as a uniform, badge, dummy weapon and handcuffs, from actual police officers for 4000 Euros. “He stated that he knew people in the police force who would order him uniform parts at any time,” an internal memo to all police officers in the capital noted.

“For two years […] a 22-year-old is out in Berlin as a policewoman, helps with missions and […] traveled in the [police] car,” Frankfurt newspaper, Märkische Oderzeitung, reported.

In addition to going on patrols almost daily, Mr K says he gathered personal data for investigations and assisted in police operations. He claims he even defended a police officer against an attacker using pepper spray during a mass brawl between rival YouTubers Bahar Al Amood and ThatsBekir, which took place in April at Alexanderplatz, one of the largest public squares in Berlin.

The sham unraveled when police passing an underground train station in the Wedding district noticed that Mr K was wearing a winter-weather police jacket on a hot day. Their suspicions roused, they engaged Mr K in small talk. Finding his attitude and demeanor unusual, they asked Mr K, a German citizen of Turkish heritage, to present identification. He was unable to do so. Officers then verified with their superiors that he was not a member of their forces.

A body search found that Mr K was carrying illegal drugs on his person.

The police detained Mr K on charges of misuse of titles, presumption of office and violation of conditions of the Arms and Narcotics Act.

The investigation is ongoing, and is expected to include an internal probe to determine the source of the accoutrements purchased by Mr K. In the meanwhile, Mr K has walked free.

The youth began his criminal activity at an early age, with a three year, three month prison sentence for assault and sexual assault at the age of 17. He was released from a separate prison term, a 14-month stretch, just March of last year. Upon release, he returned to posing as a police officer.