Shane Casbolt, 31, was stopped from entering Christchurch court last year while wearing police clothing, including a stab-resistant vest, pepper spray can and extendable baton.
Casbolt, who had previously been fined for impersonating a police officer, was charged with impersonating a police officer and carrying an assault weapon.
But a judge found that while Casbolt’s uniform, which carried a New Zealand gun, would have led a member of the public to believe he was working for Corrections or Customs “or something similar”, no one would believe he was a police officer on duty. .
However, Judge Gerard Lynch said Casbolt, who describes himself as a security guard, investigator and trial server and has previously tried to run a free street hospital service, wanted to be seen as part of the government’s enforcement scene.
“He has inflated or exaggerated his role within the wider justice system. The inflation of the ego has put him in this situation,” the judge said.
After a lawsuit only, he ruled that the baton Casbolt was carrying—bought from a martial arts store—was an offensive weapon.
Casbolt called it a “bite stick” and said he used it to deter dogs he might encounter when serving documents “to people who aren’t the friendliest”.
Judge Lynch noted that the baton could have been used on humans, and said Casbolt had no legal authority or reasonable excuse for taking it into the courthouse as part of the uniform he handed over to security personnel at the door.
He was at the Christchurch courthouse on September 9 last year to give an affidavit that a document had been served.
He was stopped at the door and the gear was seized. He was charged despite the claim that he had worn the equipment for six previous visits to the courthouse.
The judge said he could have easily left the items in his car, which he had parked nearby. He was not under threat of attack when he made the court visit.
After Judge Lynch previously determined that the assault weapons charge had been proven, attorney Elena Stavrovska said Casbolt would file for resignation without conviction.
On Friday, Stavrovska said there was a real risk that the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA) would revoke Casbolt’s Certificate of Approval (COA), allowing him to operate in the industry.
The PSPLA, which has received several complaints from members of the public about Casbolt, is aware that he has been charged but has yet to make a final decision, Stavrovska said.
Casbolt is studying to become a private detective, the court heard, but would also need a COA to operate.
Judge Lynch adjourned Friday’s hearing to get more information about the PSPLA and its trials.
-By Kurt Bayer