A couple of us at work were talking about this and the question came up about cops, or local law enforcement. Does this cover someone who dresses up with a gun and badge (assuming open carrying is legal) and driving around a white crown vic? I understand how that would be very bad for society but how is it different from a punk trying to look like the America's  true 1%.

USSC just ruled it unconstitutional last week
 

You're talking about impersonating a peace officer, which is illegal most places.

There is no such thing as "stolen valor"

What I'm getting at

Dress up like a military member = protected by the 1st amendment

Dress up like a cop = illegal

As it should be.

Generally speaking, dressing up like a cop is also protected by the 1A. The part where it becomes illegal in every jurisdiction I'm familiar with is when you use the appearance to issue directive to others under authority you do not posses.

Relevant TPC section:

Sec. 37.11.  IMPERSONATING PUBLIC SERVANT. (a) A person commits an offense if he:

(1)  impersonates a public servant with intent to induce another to submit to his pretended official authority or to rely on his pretended official acts; or

(2)  knowingly purports to exercise any function of a public servant or of a public office, including that of a judge and court, and the position or office through which he purports to exercise a function of a public servant or public office has no lawful existence under the constitution or laws of this state or of the United States.

(b)  An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree.

Would suck if the wemminz couldn't dress up in those low-cut police uniformz.

Gig 'em,

backbencher

I've always wondered the origin of "backbencher"

SCOTUS has set a precedent that will be hard to get out of.