A PRIVATE security guard has been found guilty of trying to dupe people into thinking he was a police officer.

Southampton's top cop has this afternoon said he is pleased David MacLean was convicted of two charges that his uniform was designed to make people believe he was a genuine PC.

MacLean was fined £1,635 after he joined real officers as they chased a man during a riot in a Hampshire village.

Dressed in his uniform made up of recycled police clothes, MacLean was mistaken by a genuine PC for a fellow officer and was ordered to gather details from witnesses.

Just a week later in August last year MacLean, 26, of Holcroft Road, Thornhill, whose firm Atrax earlier this year has launched a private “police service” for city residents was spotted in Eastleigh town centre again dressed in his uniform chatting to the manager of a pub.

At Southampton Magistrates' Court today MacLean was convicted of two counts of dressing in dark clothes, tactical vest, body armour and other paraphernalia that it so closely resembled a police uniform it was calculated to deceive members of the public.

He was cleared of two further charges – one of impersonating an officer and another claiming his dog handler’s car looks like a police vehicle.

MacLean was fined £500 for each offence and ordered to pay £620 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the verdicts, Southampton Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Matthew Greening said he welcomed the conviction.

“David McLean has come to local and some national prominence through his private security firm offering to patrol the streets of Southampton for a cost," he said.

“Today’s court case where he was found guilty of two counts of impersonating a police officer last year show that some of the ways in which he has been carrying out his activities in the past have not always been lawful.

“I welcome today’s verdict and would suggest anyone considering using a private security firm makes sure they realise they do not have the same powers as a police officer however they are dressed and that it’s worth finding out what training its staff receive.

“Our Safer Neighbourhood Teams work very hard to give local people the policing service they want for their area and I would encourage anyone who has any issues about policing or crime in their area to raise them directly with us.”