In the world of true crime, there are stories about high-stakes heists, unsolved mysteries, and criminal masterminds who evade the law for decades. But then there’s the strange, almost unbelievable case of Jeremy Dewitte — a man whose alleged obsession with pretending to be a police officer has made him one of the most infamous figures in Florida law enforcement circles.
In February 2021, Dewitte appeared on the nationally televised Dr. Phil show, insisting that he was not — and had never been — a police impersonator. He even agreed to take a voluntary polygraph test on camera to prove his point. But when the results came in, they were damning: the test suggested that Dewitte was lying.
Just a month later, in March 2021, Dewitte was arrested yet again — this time for, you guessed it, impersonating a police officer. That arrest would eventually lead to his prison sentence, continuing a saga of repeated legal troubles that spanned over a decade.
Who Is Jeremy Dewitte?
Jeremy Charles Dewitte is a Florida resident who ran a company called Metro-State Special Services, which specialized in funeral escorts. At first glance, this may seem like a mundane business — after all, many companies help escort funeral processions to ensure they move safely through traffic. But Dewitte’s approach to his business went far beyond the typical use of safety vests and hazard lights.
His employees, dressed in uniforms resembling law enforcement attire, often rode motorcycles painted and outfitted like police bikes, complete with sirens and flashing lights. Their vehicles bore decals, insignias, and equipment that closely mimicked those of real police departments. Videos captured Dewitte using police-style jargon over the radio, making traffic stops, and ordering other drivers to pull over — behavior that crossed a clear legal line.
A Long History of Police Impersonation Charges
Dewitte’s encounters with the law go back to 2001, when he was first charged with impersonating an officer. Since then, he has been arrested multiple times on similar charges, with prosecutors repeatedly arguing that his funeral escort operations were a thinly veiled cover for playing cop.
His arrests often made headlines in Florida, not only because of the nature of the crime but because there was extensive video evidence. Some of this footage came from police bodycams during his arrests, but a surprising amount came from Dewitte himself — as he had cameras mounted on his motorcycle to record funeral escorts. Unfortunately for him, these recordings often showed him doing things that looked suspiciously like actual police enforcement actions.
The Dr. Phil Appearance: A National Spotlight
In February 2021, Dewitte’s unusual case went mainstream when he was invited to appear on the Dr. Phil show. Sitting across from Dr. Phil McGraw, Dewitte defended his actions, insisting that he was merely running a legitimate funeral escort business and that he had been unfairly targeted by local police.
Dr. Phil, skeptical of Dewitte’s denials, arranged for him to take a polygraph test. Dewitte agreed, perhaps confident that he could prove his innocence on national television. But when the polygraph examiner presented the results, they indicated deception when Dewitte answered questions about impersonating a law enforcement officer.
For viewers at home, the moment was jaw-dropping. Here was a man facing years of allegations, insisting on his innocence, only to seemingly fail a lie detector test in front of millions.
The Arrest That Followed
If Dewitte’s appearance on Dr. Phil was supposed to rehabilitate his public image, it backfired spectacularly. Just a month later, in March 2021, he was arrested again for impersonating an officer. According to police, he had once again been spotted conducting a funeral escort in a manner that made him appear to be law enforcement — complete with a motorcycle that looked like a police bike and actions that mimicked a traffic stop.
The arrest reinforced what prosecutors had been saying for years: Dewitte simply could not stop himself from blurring the line between civilian and police authority.
Prison Time and Legal Consequences
In the wake of this arrest and multiple previous charges, Dewitte eventually accepted a plea deal that included time in prison. In September 2021, he was sentenced to 18 months behind bars. While that might seem like the end of the saga, his notoriety meant that even in prison, the story of Jeremy Dewitte continued to circulate on social media, in YouTube documentaries, and on true-crime forums.
Some commentators speculated that Dewitte’s repeated offenses suggested compulsive behavior — that he wasn’t impersonating police officers for a single financial scam, but rather because he genuinely wanted to be one, even without the badge or official authority.
Why Police Impersonation Is a Serious Crime
At first glance, police impersonation might not seem as dangerous as violent crimes. But law enforcement experts argue that it poses a serious public safety risk. An impersonator can abuse the trust that the public places in police officers — for example, pulling people over, detaining them, or gaining access to restricted areas. In some cases across the U.S., criminals have used police impersonation as a way to commit robberies, assaults, or worse.
In Florida, impersonating a police officer is a felony offense, punishable by up to five years in prison. Repeat offenders, like Dewitte, face harsher penalties and increased scrutiny from law enforcement.
The Psychology Behind the Behavior
Psychologists have long studied cases of role-playing obsession and “wannabe cop” behavior. In some individuals, there is an intense identification with authority figures, uniforms, and the respect associated with law enforcement. This can stem from various factors — unfulfilled career ambitions, a desire for power, or even a need for validation.
In Dewitte’s case, critics argue that his funeral escort business was simply an outlet for acting out the role of a police officer without officially joining a department. Supporters, however, claim that he was providing a valuable service and that his arrest was the result of overly aggressive prosecution.
The Role of Media in the Dewitte Story
The Dr. Phil episode brought Dewitte’s case to a national audience, but local media had been following him for years. YouTube channels dedicated to police accountability and true-crime analysis have dissected hours of footage from his motorcycle helmet cams, police bodycams, and courtroom appearances.
This media attention arguably turned Dewitte into a public spectacle — part cautionary tale, part bizarre entertainment. His story became a strange mix of real-world crime, internet meme culture, and legal drama.
Lessons from the Jeremy Dewitte Saga
The saga of Jeremy Dewitte offers several takeaways:
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Impersonating police is never a “victimless” crime. Even if no one is directly harmed, it erodes public trust and can lead to dangerous situations.
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Compulsive behavior can override common sense. Despite multiple arrests, Dewitte’s alleged need to portray himself as law enforcement seemed irresistible.
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Media exposure can amplify — not erase — controversy. Dewitte may have hoped that Dr. Phil would clear his name, but it ended up cementing his reputation as America’s most infamous police impersonator.
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Law enforcement monitoring of repeat offenders is relentless. Once you’re on their radar, any suspicious behavior is likely to result in renewed charges.
The Ongoing Curiosity
Even after his prison sentence, Jeremy Dewitte remains a subject of fascination for internet sleuths, true-crime fans, and law enforcement professionals. His story raises unanswered questions: Was this purely a criminal act for profit? Or was it the manifestation of a deep-seated psychological fixation with the role of a police officer?
Whatever the answer, the case serves as a reminder that truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction — and that even the most unusual criminal careers can end the same way: in a jail cell.