Harvest, Huntsville, Madison, Police Reports, RSS Twitter, Z - News Main
 By  John Few Published 
3:01 pm Thursday, June 8, 2023

Madison Police Offers Advice After Teen Arrested for Impersonating an Officer, Addresses Recent Social Media Complaints

MADISON – The Madison Police Department issued a statement Thursday morning addressing the recent arrest of a Harvest teen in Limestone County using equipment and posing as a police officer. They also took issue with some of the recent social media conversations questioning police tactics the department uses to enforce traffic laws.

Logan William Martin, 18, of Harvest, was arrested on Friday after applying for a job as a corrections officer.

“Capt. Tammy Waddell received a tip that Martin had stolen blue lights from the Madison County Career Tech Law Enforcement vehicle, put them in his car, and was stopping cars and impersonating a peace officer,” the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office said.

When interviewed, Martin confessed to impersonating a peace officer in Limestone County, Madison County, Jackson County, and Lincoln County, Tennessee, the Sheriff’s Office said. A search of his car revealed property of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Huntsville Police Department, including dash cameras, blue emergency lights and a police radio, according to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the statement from Madison Police, the arrest has brought up questions regarding the use of unmarked patrol cars in traffic enforcement. “MPD uses unmarked vehicles as part of the Traffic Safety Unit for enforcement actions,” Madison Police stated. “These vehicles have no outer markings and display State issued tags.

Several social media comments were made saying the use of unmarked vehicles in traffic enforcement is entrapment. “The definition of entrapment includes ‘A law enforcement officer inducing a person to commit a crime they otherwise would have been unlikely or unwilling to commit’,” the MPD statement said. “MPD traffic officers conduct vehicle stops only after they observe traffic violations have already occurred. Comments made concerning the occurrence of more traffic stops at the ‘end of the month to make quota’ have no validity, as MPD has never required or used quotas.”

Madison Police gave some advice for people being stopped by an unmarked police vehicle. “If a citizen feels they are unsafe when an unmarked vehicle displays blue lights to pull them over, the citizen should turn on their hazard flashers which will let the officer know they are attempting to pull over,” MPD stated. “They should pull into the nearest well-lit, public location, and call 911 providing the dispatcher with their location and vehicle description. Remain on the phone with dispatch until they advise the officer is authorized to conduct the traffic stop.”

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
September 17, 2025
James Clemens fined and forfeits victory over Gardendale for rule violation
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
September 17, 2025
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
September 17, 2025
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *