Police afraid to use force after ‘woke witch hunt'

Telegraph

4 days ago

Police are 'concerned' about using force while making arrests after a 'woke witch hunt' resulted in a decorated officer being dismissed for gross misconduct.
Dorset Police Federation has called for 'urgent clarification' from senior officers about the implications of using force, including by those 'who make genuine mistakes when doing so'.
It comes after Lorne Castle was dismissed for behaving aggressively and using unreasonable force during an incident in Bournemouth in January last year.
Castle is alleged to have told a youth who was found to be in possession of a knife to 'stop screaming like a b---h' and threatened to 'smash him' before putting his hands around the boy's neck.
Campaigners have since hit out at Dorset Police, calling the force 'woke' and claiming Mr Castle had been 'thrown under a bus'.
Dorset Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers such as Mr Castle, said its members were now doubting themselves over whether they should manhandle suspects to overpower them.
A spokesman said: 'Dorset Police Federation has been overwhelmed by the response by our members since the outcome of this case – colleagues are understandably concerned about what the outcome of this case means for them and their use of force.
'It must be said that we note the strength of feeling from members of the public in Dorset over this incident as well.
'We are seeking urgent clarification from Dorset Police about the implications of using force for officers, including those who make genuine mistakes when doing so.
'We are also keen to review the sustainability of our training provisions around the use of force to ensure that it is fit for purpose. We want to ensure that our members feel that they will be supported when using force lawfully and proportionately.'
'Woke and weak agenda'
In a decade as a PC, Mr Castle was twice commended for saving the lives of members of the public. In 2023, he put his own safety at risk to rescue a woman from being swept away in a flooded river.
In 2021, he was made Dorset Police's officer of the year for his 'outstanding service' and for undertaking every shift 'with the personal commitment to make a difference and do the right thing'.
At the time of the arrest last year, the youth was wanted in connection with an assault on an elderly member of the public on Bournemouth seafront and for being part of a gang attack at a McDonald's restaurant.
As three officers struggled to restrain him and handcuff him, a three-inch knife fell out of his pocket. One end was a lock knife and the other a Stanley knife. The teenager claimed it was for use at his work.
Campaigners have hit out at Dorset Police over the officer's dismissal, with a petition on change.org calling for him to be reinstated. Some have also called for the Home Secretary to intervene.
Chris Amey, who served in the police for 30 years, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to pay Mr Castle's wages. He accused Dorset Police of pursuing a 'woke and weak' agenda.
Mr Amey, a retired chief inspector, said: 'Dorset Police have completely lost touch with reality and the community they serve.
'If you have been following this case you will see a significant overwhelming positive response from huge numbers of the general public, both via social media and in person to Lorne himself.
'It is fantastic to see that this woke and weak agenda will no longer be tolerated. I couldn't stand by and watch a good man and his family suffer at the hands of what can only be described as a 'witch hunt'.
'The decisions made in this case have serious and unprecedented consequences for all serving officers looking to proactively stop and search or arrest offenders in possession of bladed weapons. Are they all now expected to go up to such offenders and politely ask them if they'd kindly hand over anything nasty they might have on them?'
'Unbelievable amount of public support'
He added: 'The Home Office should be looking at this, and if I was the Home Secretary I would be really concerned about what's going on at Dorset Police at the moment. It was an abysmal decision to dismiss him. All common sense has gone out of the window.'
Mr Castle, a married father of three, has thanked people for the 'unbelievable amount of public support'.
He said: 'I can't say how much the messages and public support have meant. It's been a tough time, it's been hard on me and my family. I'm OK, I feel free for the first time since I joined this job. Who knows what the future holds, but I had to say thank you.'
A spokesman for Dorset Police said: 'An independent panel reviewed all the evidence in relation to this incident and found PC Lorne Castle had committed gross misconduct, having breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of authority, respect and courtesy, conduct and use of force after he behaved aggressively and used unreasonable force while arresting a 15-year-old boy in Bournemouth town centre.
'We continue to support our colleagues where they use force in a lawful and proportionate way and the standards of behaviour, that the public expect, are upheld. We are working hard to maintain and improve trust and public confidence in policing and tackling unethical or unacceptable behaviour remains a Force priority.'