APD Officers Arrest Police Impersonator

On September 1st, 2023, at approximately 3:04AM, officers responded to Fair Drive SW and Metropolitan Parkway SW in reference to an auto accident. Upon arrival, the responding officer noticed that the passenger inside one of the vehicles, later identified as 47-year-old Samuel Smith, had his wrists restrained with handcuffs. Because Mr. Smith appeared to be heavily intoxicated, officers questioned Mr. Smith's wife, later identified as 42-year-old Patricia Smith (who was the driver of the vehicle), and she stated that an "officer" had handcuffed her husband while they were at Peaches of Atlanta (779 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard).
Recognizing the peculiarity of the situation, officers went to 779 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard in an effort to locate the "officer". Upon arriving at Peaches of Atlanta, officers made contact with a male, later identified as 49-year-old Terrence Jacks, who was wearing a vest with a "Police" patch as well as a Department of Homeland Security Special Agent badge, a radio, and a handgun. Mr. Jacks was also in possession of a sedan which was equipped with blue lights and had Police decals. Mr. Jacks claimed to be working as a security guard for the club and advised that he had placed Mr. Smith into handcuffs but that Mr. Smith had run away before fleeing in an SUV.
Though Mr. Jacks presented officers with what he claimed were Department of Homeland Security credentials, after a thorough investigation it was determined that Mr. Jacks was not a Department of Homeland Security Special Agent. Mr. Jacks was placed into custody and was charged with Impersonating a Public Officer or Employee and was taken to the Fulton County jail. The various law enforcement equipment that Mr. Jacks was in possession of were seized following his arrest.
Mrs. Smith, who had got into the auto accident following her husband's scuffle with Mr. Jacks, was found to be at-fault for the accident and was charged with DUI Less Safe, Hit and Run, Reckless Driving, and Driving on a Suspended License. Additionally, her husband Mr. Smith, had an active warrant out of Fulton County and was placed into custody. Mr. Smith was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment.
The Atlanta Police Department would like to remind all citizens that police impersonators jeopardize the legitimacy of the law enforcement profession and that this arrest is significant in maintaining the community's trust in our department. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.