It would be impossible for police to effectively operate undercover if a criminal could avoid arrest simply by asking "Are you a cop?" This question has even made its way to the US Supreme Court, and ruled that a police officer does not have to identify themselves and may even lie about their status in the course of their work.

Also, for those who love to yell "entrapment" in such cases, it is entrapment only if the officer forces the citizen to commit a crime or threatens him if he refuses. A cop can ask for drugs by name, can ask for specific sexual services, and can even initiate the offer. While an "entrapment" defense MIGHT get you a non-guilty verdict if you have a clean record, predisposition to commit an illegal act can be established by previous arrest records and convictions.

These are federal standards across the country. There are some States and jurisdictions that hold a police office undercover can not commit a crime to further his undercover operation beyond a certain point. An undercover officer can not commit murder, but can stage a fake murder to obtain a confession; ie, an undercover office is hired to murder a woman's husband for money, he fakes the kill, she pays him which provides proof of her state of mind, hubby then reappears!

While it is still a gray area when an undercover cop exposes himself to entrap law-abiding citizens, there have been rumors of cases where a police informant has committed a sexual act in public with a preset arrangement with the authorities to testify against the people arrested in exchange for immunity.

Simply put, cops lie. The establishment (represented by the police) is still committed to stamping out homosexual activity in public. Be sure you know who you are going down on, or confine your activities to the privacy of your bedroom (or if you prefer; kitchen table, living room rug in front of a roaring fire, concealed back yard hot tub or pool, etc,).

There are too many sources to cite on this. A quick Google on "do police have to identify themselves" will provide plenty of info.

NOTE: a cop MUST identify themselves before placing you under arrest, entering a private residence in an emergency, or enforcing a search warrant. Also, replica police badges are legally available on the open market, ask for offical id.

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