A motorcycle officer who made traffic stops and was carrying a pistol and stun-guns was actually an impersonator with previous felony convictions, Southern California officials said.
On Tuesday, the Hemet Police Department announced it had arrested Marshal Goodnight, a motorcyclist who was wearing a full police uniform, duty belt and a Glock-style pistol.
Goodnight was stopped by real officers after he reportedly was seen activating emergency lights on his white motorcycle emblazoned with the words “Traffic” and “Public Safety,” and committing multiple vehicle code violations.
Officers noted the man’s pistol and opted to detain him for safety reasons. During a search of his person and bike, they recovered two working stun-guns, a telescoping baton and a container of pepper spray.
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This image shows Marshal Goodnight (face blurred) when he was arrested on July 22, 2025. (Hemet Police Department) -
A composite image shows the police-styled motorcycle ridden by Marshal Goodnight when he was arrested on July 22, 2025. (Hemet Police Department) -
A composite image shows one of two stun-guns found in the possession of Marshal Goodnight when he was arrested on July 22, 2025. (Hemet Police Department) -
A composite image shows one of two stun-guns found in the possession of Marshal Goodnight when he was arrested on July 22, 2025. (Hemet Police Department) -
This composite image shows the multiple prohibited items that were allegedly in the possession of Marshal Goodnight when he was arrested on July 22, 2025. (Hemet Police Department)
Not only was the man not a police officer, investigators later determined he was in face a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or other weapons. He is also not licensed to provide any security services through the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, officials said.
Goodnight has since been arrested and booked on a complaint of impersonating a police officer and various weapons violations. Police did not say where in Hemet the arrest took place.
A search of the Riverside County jail system for the suspect’s name yielded no results, although it’s possible he’s being held at the Hemet Police Department.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact Hemet PD Sergeant Chavez at 951-765-2400 ext. 3725.