Hero police officer reveals his fears after being sacked for tackling knife-wielding teenager

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

An award-winning police officer who was sacked for a 'lack of respect' after arresting a knife-carrying teenager has claimed the saga has left him worrying about whether he can 'pay his mortgage'.
The shocking footage shows how PC Lorne Castle grabbed the 15-year-old boy, who was suspected of assault, and pushed him into a wall before slamming him into the ground and proceeding to place his hand over the youth's face while shouting threats and curse words.
During the commotion a Stanley-type knife fell out of the teenager's waistband.
PC Castle, 46, was dismissed from Dorset Police over the Bournemouth arrest, sparking a wave of criticism as it emerged the teen was suspected of assaulting two people including an elderly gentlemen.
He has now lifted the lid on a nightmare 16 months which he said 'could have broken him'.
The police officer told GB News: 'I came into police nine or 10 years ago. Prior to that, I was in the sports industry, went to Bournemouth University where I did law.
'I've had a confident life and am happy and get on with people. The last year and a half, when they've put me on restricted duties, I'm not allowed face-to-face contact with people.
'I'm isolated. I don't know whether I'm going to be able to pay the mortgage and bring money home until I see how this goes.'
He added that he has been helped out by a strong support group as he waits to see if he is entitled to an appeal.
'I've really held it together. Especially the days of the hearing which were horrendous, and I'm quite a strong, confident character, it could've broken me.
'But I've had really strong support. It is a really hard job and that's why I'm here, not just for me but for everyone that wears that uniform and goes out and does the right job. I'm hoping that some good comes of this even if I don't get any job back or anything.'
PC Castle also gave an insight into what was going through his head during the incident, which resulted in him being found guilty of gross misconduct.
'My intent was to arrest a potentially violent suspect without injuries,' he said. 'He was arrested, no injuries and no complaint, and a knife was removed from the street.
'It's not a nice situation for anyone to be in...other officers have been in that situation and that's why I am here now. Any mistake, pause or hesitation can have dramatic results.
'My intention was good and that's why I have maintained my innocence, because I know my own mindset.
'If I know it can be analysed like a sport, armchair critiquing, some time down the line, it's gonna make you pause. Whether that's good or bad it needs to be looked at.'
The officer (pictured) was dismissed after he was accused of showing a lack of courtesy and respect to a knife-carrying teenager he arrested for assault
He said on Tuesday that he has been helped out by a strong support group as he waits to see if he is entitled to an appeal
It comes after Dorset Police released the full bodycam footage from PC Castle's partner on the stop, allowing the public to judge the chaotic episode for themselves.
Following the arrest PC Castle's colleagues reported concerns about his conduct to senior officers, prompting a 16-month investigation and gross misconduct proceedings.
A misconduct panel last week found PC Castle made the boy feel 'frightened and intimidated' and showed him a 'lack of courtesy and respect' during the arrest in January last year.
The officer admitted that he 'lost control' during the arrest and tearfully apologised for his 'out of character' actions at a police disciplinary hearing.
The panel, led by Wiltshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Deborah Smith, found him guilty of gross misconduct.
They said he failed to act with self-control, did not treat the boy with courtesy or respect and that his 'shouting, swearing, finger pointing, taking hold of the boy's face suggested use of leg restraints was not necessary, reasonable or proportionate'.
It was alleged the officer also grabbed the boy's throat but this was not proven.
PC Castle was dismissed without notice and barred from serving again.
The bodycam footage showed how PC Castle was the first out of the patrol car before putting the boy to the wall and then pushing him to the ground while shouting: 'You're under arrest'.
While on top of the teenager on the ground, he then shouted: 'Get on the ground. Get down. Get down.
'Show me your f***ing hands, now. Put your f***ing hands behind your [back].'
The teen, who is clearly distressed, screams and told PC Castle 'I can't' - as the officer is on top of him.
PC Castle's female colleague can then by heard trying to intervene to de-escalate the situation, but Castle would not be stopped.
While pointing his finger into the teen's face, he yelled: 'Right, listen, stop screaming like a little b****. Do you understand that? Shut up.'
He continues: 'Roll over. Right, you try resisting again, do you understand? Right, shut up.
'If you try resisting one more time - right get your f***ing hands behind your back, do you understand?
'One hand at a time! One hand at a time. Stop screaming.'
Speaking into his radio PC Castle then asks for another unit to be sent over because the suspect is 'being a little b****.'
He then begins yelling at the boy again, while still on top of him on the ground, and pointing into his face.
'Right, stop resisting or I'm going to smash you. Do you understand? Put your hands behind your back.'
PC Castle then tells members of the public who are watching on: 'Move back, now.'
He places his hands on top of the boy's face, prompting him to cry out in what appears to be pain.
He shouts: 'You are under arrest at the moment on suspicion of assault. Right do not move.'
It is just 90 seconds after PC Castle opened the car door. Throughout the arrest, the 15-year-old could be heard screaming and shouting 'what have I done wrong?'. At one point he starts crying and appears to be struggling to draw breath.
PC Castle (right) won an award for saving a person from drowning, as well as previously being named Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year
On the day of the arrest, the panel heard that the boy was suspected of assaulting an elderly man while riding an e-scooter before getting embroiled in a fracas with another youth outside McDonalds.
PC Castle, who has twice won a national bravery award including one for saving an elderly woman from drowning in a swollen river in 2023, spotted the suspect walking up Richmond Hill in Bournemouth before the stop.
His colleague attempted to step in to calm the situation several times but was all but ignored by PC Castle, video footage shows.
Giving evidence, PC Castle said he became 'overwhelmed and scared' when the boy resisted as his mind flashed back to his arrest of a county lines drug dealer 18 months earlier which led him fearing for his life.
As the officer struggled with the dealer, his associate who was stood behind was being told to 'cut him' - before an off-duty officer intervened to defend him.
PC Castle admitted he had overstepped the mark with his language and aggression and broke down in tears as he said: 'I'm embarrassed by the video and I apologise for my actions.
'Anyone who knows me in public or private life knows that is not how I behave. When he started screaming and resisting I panicked and became overwhelmed.
'I did not choke the suspect and I did not get him in a headlock. I was trying to keep his head still with the palm of my hand so he did not hit his head.
'I did not put my full weight on him as my knees were on the concrete. I only applied enough weight to keep his body still.
'During the arrest I saw the knife fall out of his waistband so he was arrested for a knife offence. I think the arrest needed to be made but I lost control of the situation.'
Mark Ley Morgan, representing Dorset Police at the hearing, said the knife was not relevant as PC Castle did not know the boy had it when making the arrest.
Mr Morgan said: 'PC Castle breached standards of professional behaviour by failing to act with self control and failing to treat him with courtesy or respect.
'He abused his power and authority and his behaviour undermined confidence in the police.
'It was totally unnecessary and disproportionate, and it is so serious that dismissal would be justified.'
'PC Castle has let the police service and his colleagues down and he does not represent the many hard-working officers and staff of Dorset Police.
'The outcome reflects the seriousness of this matter and ensures that he will no longer hold a role in policing and the privilege of constable.
'I am grateful to the officers for having the courage to do the right thing and report their concerns about PC Castle's actions.'
After the hearing, Dorset Police Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell acknowledged that officers did a 'tough job' but said PC Castle let the force down by his actions.
She said: 'I have never been in any doubt that PC Castle's actions were excessive, aggressive and inappropriate and I can understand the communities we serve will be concerned about this case.
But the judgment proved divisive with many reacting online and speaking out in support of the officer.
Norman Brennan, a retired police officer and founder of the campaign group Protect the Protectors, accused Dorset Police of throwing PC Castle 'under a bus'.
He said: 'Senior officers at Dorset Police have taken leave of their senses.. This decision epitomises how they have lost touch with the danger and reality of frontline policing. It is bloody madness.
'Police officers when facing volatile or violent situations will at times swear and use some unsavoury words.
'All arrests involve some form of force and pushing someone even in the face during a struggle is not always intentional and even if it is its part and parcel in many arrests when restraining a suspect. No arrest is without some sort of force.
'I'm sick and tired of officers being disciplined for things like this and I think the majority of the public would think this is absolutely bonkers.
'Many senior officers kowtow to the constant criticism of the police in a sort of appeasement and often throw officers under the bus or to the wolves as sacrificial lambs. Cases like this are more likely to deter people from joining the police.'