Update: Police imposter made TikTok videos from a California sheriff’s office

A Stockton man was arrested Wednesday night for allegedly entering a secure area within the San Joaquin County’s Sheriff’s Office facility and recording TikTok videos in which he impersonated a captain.

According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, 55-year-old Merle Neufield entered the facility using a department-issued access card that belonged to his spouse, who is an employee of the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Sandra Mendez, a spokesperson for the Office, said Neufield posted the videos on TikTok in which he identified himself as a police captain and walked around the department giving tours.

Neufield’s demeanor in the videos was very much, “this is my department and this is what I do when I come into work, this is where I like to spend time — acting as if he owned the department,” Mendez said.

Neufield allegedly recorded the videos late at night when no one was around. Mendez did not know how many videos were posted nor during what time frame but said the Sheriff’s Office became aware of them Tuesday.

Neufield was arrested Wednesday night after he entered the Sheriff’s Office private parking lot. He was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a peace officer and trespassing with the intent to commit a crime.

Neufield’s spouse was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Mendez did not disclose her position with the department but said she is not a deputy.

“We at the Sheriff’s Office take the security of our facilities very seriously and are reviewing our security policies and procedures to prevent breaches like this from occurring in the future,” according to the press release.