2 former Center Twp. deputy constables arrested for impersonation within 2 months

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. - A former Center Township deputy constable has been accused of impersonating a public servant, just two months after police arrested another former deputy for the same thing. Both former deputies were employed under the previous constable-turned-felon Denise Hatch.




The 43-year-old, Rodney Fields, turned what could've just been a ticket for expired plates into a potential felony - after the Johnson County Sheriff's Office said he used a photo of a badge on his phone to try and get out of it.

After spotting the expired plates cruising down State Road 135 near W Smith Valley Road on Thursday, a Johnson County Sheriff's deputy describes pulling Fields over, then deciding to ticket him and tow his car.




That's when Fields, a former Center Township deputy constable, claimed he still worked there. Court documents say that while the Sheriff's deputy explained his decision, Fields interrupted him, saying "sir, sir, sir" - and pulled out his cell phone to show him a picture of his old ID displaying the words: "this is to certify that Rodney Fields is a duly appointed deputy." Below it, in the photo, was a gold five-star badge.




"That's absolutely misuse of your duties, of your oath that you take," said Major Andy Fisher with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office. "Even if he was still active, that's inappropriate activity."




In the probable cause affidavit for Fields' arrest, the arresting deputy wrote: "When Mr. Fields showed me his law enforcement ID and badge, I felt he was trying to influence me into not towing his vehicle, indicating he was a law enforcement officer, just like I was. I stated you can't just show me a picture of a badge, and that is when Mr. Fields zoomed in on his photograph to enlarge his Identification, and stated, This is me."




"When we have people out in society that are misusing what could've been powers at one time or trying to impersonate something that they are not, all that does is give distrust to the community that we do not want, so we take that very seriously," Fisher said.




The sheriff's office also said Fields' car was equipped with lights on the outside, a spotlight with handcuffs on it, a computer stand and a full middle console inside.




"The vehicle was set up to replicate and look like an unmarked police vehicle," Fisher said.

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It's the second time in two months a former Center Township deputy constable has been accused of impersonation.




In June, a suspect working security outside of a nightclub told IMPD he got his badge from the previous elected constable Denise Hatch, who pleaded guilty last year to official misconduct and unlawful carry of a firearm.




Hatch's deputies were told to return their badges and IDs when the next constable took office, who told FOX59/CBS4 in the following statement that Fields was no longer employed by them at that time, and had complied with his office's "full review" of all credentials and equipment.




In light of recent reports concerning the arrest of Mr. Rodney Fields, it is important to provide clarity regarding his status with this office. Mr. Fields is a former Center Township Deputy Constable who served under the previous Constable administration. He has never been employed under my administration. Upon assuming office on 11/8/2024, my administration conducted a full review of all credentials and equipment, and Mr. Fields was directed to turn in his identification card, which he did in compliance with our request. Any actions attributed to him since that time were done without the knowledge, authorization, or approval of the Center Township Constable's Office. We remain committed to integrity, accountability, and transparency in serving the residents of Center Township, and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement partners to ensure the public trust is upheld.




- Dr. Kenneth Allen, Center Township Constable




"The majority of all of us out here are here to help you," Fisher said. "There are rare circumstances where situations like this occur and we will handle them just as we handled it in this case."




FOX59/CBS4 followed up with Constable Allen about whether all of Hatch's deputies turned in their IDs and badges as instructed. He responded: "We are not sure as we were not given a comprehensive list of the previous administration Deputy Constables."




Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner said, as of Friday afternoon, Fields' case was "still in review."





via: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/2-former-center-twp-deputy-constables-arrested-for-impersonation-within-2-months/