Ryan Calista

KENNEBUNK – A Dover, New Hampshire, man has been charged with impersonating a public servant following an incident at a local playground on Wednesday.

Police responded to a call around 2:30 p.m. Reporting a man who claimed to be a police officer looking for a missing 13-year-old boy at the Parks and Recreation Center Playground at Park Street, according to a press release from the Kennebunk Police Department. The man wore a police hat and police vest and sped into the parking lot in a truck equipped with a blue flashing light.

Several adults became suspicious when the man refused to identify himself or give his name, said police, and took pictures of the man and his truck before he left the parking lot.

Police investigating the case identified the man as Ryan Calista, 30, of Dover, and coordinated with the Dover Police Department.

Police officers learned that Dover Police were dealing with Calista for a related complaint, and were arresting him for impersonating a police officer, as well as outstanding warrants.

A Kennebunk police officer traveled to Dover and issued Calista a summons for impersonating a public servant in addition to the charged he faces in New Hampshire.

Calista is due in Biddeford District Court on Feb. 20.

Kennebunk Police said that all their plain clothes officers have badges displayed, and will readily show their credentials if there is any doubt to the their identity.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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