Which code section addresses the act of impersonation of emergency personnel?

• A. §18.2-174.1
• B. §46.2-1040
• C. §46.2-1061
• D. §18.2-414.1

Answer: (A)

Impersonating emergency personnel is illegal to protect the public and preserve the authority and trust of responders. The Virginia code section that directly criminalizes pretending to be a police officer or other public safety official—including emergency responders—covers this behavior, even if the impersonation is for deceptive purposes or to gain some benefit. It specifies acts like wearing the uniform or presenting yourself as an official to influence others, which is exactly what impersonation entails. The other listed sections deal with vehicle-related laws or other offenses and do not address pretending to be emergency personnel, so they don’t fit the scenario.