5 days ago
Sacked Dorset policeman ‘thrown under a bus' after arrest of teenager
A highly-experienced and decorated police officer has been dismissed for gross misconduct for a momentary loss of self-control during the arrest of a knife-carrying 15-year-old.
Lorne Castle was found to have behaved aggressively and used unreasonable force during the incident in January 2024, after a three-day disciplinary hearing at Dorset Police HQ.
During the incident, Castle allegedly told the 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.
At the time of the arrest, 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.
A large gang fight had occurred in the area a few days before the incident. Two potential suspects from the fight were still at large on the morning when Castle went out on patrol with Pc Susannah Justice, and the shift had again been given a warning about the possible dangers from the outstanding offenders.
Castle, a former martial arts instructor whose wife Denise is a world champion Muay Thai kickboxer, was encouraged to join the force after his effective work as a community safety patrol officer working in the Boscombe area.
In a decade as a Pc, he has twice been commended for saving the lives of members of the public. In one incident in 2023, he put his own safety at risk to rescue a woman from being swept away in a flooded river.
In 2021, Castle 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'.
On Thursday evening, he was found guilty of the more serious gross breaches of professional conduct after a ruling from a three-person disciplinary panel chaired by Deborah Smith, another assistant chief constable.
Castle, a 46-year-old father of three, admitted his conduct had amounted to misconduct and tearfully apologised during his evidence.
'Bloody madness'
Norman Brennan, a retired police officer and founder of the police wellbeing 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.'
He added: '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.'
'Excessive, aggressive and inappropriate'
Despite the ruling, the panel concluded he genuinely believed the 15-year-old, who was hooded and covering his face when Castle spotted him walking along a city centre pavement with two associates, was a potential escapee and high risk.
As the situation unfolded, the panel also accepted he genuinely thought the boy was resisting arrest and trying to break free and that these beliefs were those of any reasonable officer.
Taking the suspect to the ground and putting him in a headlock were also acknowledged to be 'necessary, reasonable and proportionate' in the circumstances.
But body worn footage recorded him shouting and swearing at the teenager saying 'show me your f---ing hands' and to 'stop being a little b---h' as the suspect repeatedly shouted and screamed in a high-pitched voice.
And the panel felt the level of force used, including putting the suspect in leg restraints, was not justified, despite acknowledging these actions were born out of a genuine fear for the officer's own safety.
Ms Smith said Castle failed to act with self-control and did not treat the teenager with courtesy or respect.
No further action was taken against him as a result of the two assaults because no complaints were made, and his arrest for suspicions of possession of a knife was dealt with using an out of court disposal.
After the hearing, Ms Smith, in a prepared statement, said she had the 'utmost respect for the vast majority of officers who have to use force when making an arrest and do so appropriately and with professionalism, even when they are exposed to risk and violence'
She said officers do a 'tough job' and where their actions are proportionate, 'they will always be supported'.
She added: 'We recognise the risks they place themselves in every day and we ensure they receive the necessary training so they can correctly and safely arrest suspects while understanding the importance of treating the public with dignity and respect.
'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.'
