Former Payson councilman charged with impersonating a police officer

SPRINGVILLE — A former Payson councilman has been charged with impersonating a police officer.

Robert Brent Burdick, 60, was charged earlier this month in the Springville Justice Court with one count of impersonating a peace officer, a class B misdemeanor.

Police say Burdick called Springville dispatchers in July looking for information about a traffic accident. When the dispatcher declined to give out information, Burdick said he was a police officer, according to Springville Police Lt. David Caron.

When the dispatcher asked for Burdick's badge number, police say he hung up.

"We really try hard to make sure we always follow every rule about releasing information," Caron said. "There's a process you have to go through. We can release just about anything to a law enforcement officer, but for the general public, some things are a little more restricted."

Burdick, who served on the council from 2004 to 2008, said he was served a summons last week.

"It's just a misunderstanding is all it is," he said. "I'll have my day in court."

— Aaron Falk