SAN DIEGO -- The 10News I-Team learned just how easy it is for someone to impersonate law enforcement officers.

In 2008, a man forced his way into a Vista home, handcuffed and used Mace on his victim. The victim was under the impression the man was a police officer and authorities still do not know who he was.

A year earlier, Frank Olmos was convicted of impersonating a police officer in San Diego. He told his victims he was a fugitive investigations agent.

The I-Team learned California Uniforms is just one of the places public safety professionals go to dress the part.

"This is exactly what a highway patrolman wears?" asked I-Team reporter Mitch Blacher.

"That is exactly what a highway patrolman wears," said the store clerk.

"And I can buy these?"

"Technically, yes."

The store clerk would not sell a few things, like a badge and official uniform patches.

However, the I-Team was able to find uniform patches from every state in the U.S. online, thus completely furnishing a replica California Highway Patrol uniform.

"There could be multiple uses for this, but there's not multiple uses for a police badge or the patches that represent a particular agency, and that's where I really think the line must be drawn," said former police officer and criminal justice professor Kevin Lachapelle. "There's no reason an organization should be able to sell a badge to the general public whatsoever."

"They wouldn't sell the patches at the uniform shop, but it took five minutes on the Internet to get the patches," said Blacher.

"There should be a federal law prohibiting the manufacturing of police badges without proper authorization," said Lachapelle.

A state law in California prevents people from wearing an "insignia, emblem, device, label, certificate or card" to pass themselves off as someone they are not. However, it is only a misdemeanor and carries little jail time.

San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said the difference between a pretender and an actual police officer can be near impossible to see.

"What is one thing that makes your uniform different from somebody who would be a copy cat? What is one thing I can look for?" asked Blacher.

"I can't think of anything," said Gore.

If someone comes to the door with a badge, Gore said you should make sure there is an officer number on that badge.

Gore also said people can call police before letting the person in to confirm they are a legitimate officer.

If you were to get pulled over, the California Highway Patrol suggests complying, but stopping in a well-list and populated area. They also said drivers can call 911 to confirm the person pulling you over is an actual officer.