But a Met police officer is still a Met police officer, even if they aren't acting in any kind of official capacity. This isn't a situation where someone impersonated an officer and killed the lady - a real police officer did it.
The article title has 'officer' in quotes but the HN title does not. That dramatically changes the meaning.
Yes, but the meaning in the HN title is obviously the correct one. The concern here is not about a fake officer. It is about a real one. Why do you think that the quotes are justified?
If someone is subsequently charged with fleeing, having a reasonable belief that someone was impersonating officers could be an easier defense than merely fearing danger, however founded those fears may be.
Does it? If someone approaches you as single person, and claims they are an officer. What are you supposed to do? Ask for credentials and if they don't provide it, then run?