A former Ford Heights police officer has been charged with impersonating an Illinois State officer and threatening a public official, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said Tuesday.
Detectives began investigating Michael Miller, 38, on March 30 after state's attorney investigators reported Miller impersonating an officer. Miller had been released on parole March 25 after serving half of a 12-year sentence for armed robbery. He was convicted in 2003 for shaking down drug dealers for money, Dart said in a statement.
Police said Miller told a Cook County Sheriff’s court deputy on March 28 that he was an Illinois State officer and that he was instructed to report to the judge's chambers after his release from prison.
Miller also told court officials he was from the Harvey Police Department and needed to speak with the judge about returning his badge and gun.
On March 31, Miller went to the Criminal Courts Building on the 2600 block of South California Avenue and attempted to gain access to the assistant state's attorney, telling the receptionist he was there to pick up his credentials, police said. He told another receptionist he worked for state police and then the Cook County Sheriff's Office and the State's Attorney's Office.
The receptionist contacted an investigator, who Miller told he needed to get retirement paperwork signed, police said. He also told the investigator he was part of the Cook County Sheriff's Police and was trying for a position in the Special Operations Unit.
Police apprehended Miller at his home on April 1 at the 7100 block of South Indiana Avenue. Miller is scheduled to appear in court on May 20.
