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Safety options for when you are stopped by authorities

It’s important to know your rights when you’re stopped by someone who claims to have the authority of the law.

This issue came up over the weekend, when Lt. John Lopez, a firefighter with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, was accused of forcing a woman from her car in St. Augustine.

The woman told police Lopez had claimed to have the power to do so. He’s the same man who in 2007 was arrested for impersonating a police officer.

Lopez faces carjacking charges, according to the St. Augustine Police Department report. Lopez told a woman to get out of her car multiple times, claiming she needed to listen to him because he was in authority. Then he grabbed her and threw her to the ground.

“Particularly a firefighter hasn’t the authority to stop you, or make inquiry about why you’re here, what you’re doing or ask you to step out of the car,” said Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson.

Lopez was arrested in 2007 for impersonating a police officer. According to that report, Lopez was drunk and disorderly and harassed people when he claimed to be a cop.

“If you have a question about the individual, just say, 'May I see your identification, please?' Every law enforcement officer fully understands that,” said Carson.

Carson said that’s your right, even if an officer is following you in a car, with flashing lights on.

“If you’re concerned, you go to a well-lit area. You call 911. You say, 'I think there’s a police officer behind me, I’m not real sure,'” said Carson.

Lopez is still on the job. JFRD said that’s because they are still investigating but during this time, he won’t be allowed to interact with the general public.