Video footage of an award-winning police officer arresting a knife-carrying teenager has been released after the officer was sacked for showing a “lack of respect” during the arrest, sparking a public outcry. The Mail has more.
The shocking footage shows how PC Lorne Castle grabbed the 15 year-old boy, who was suspected of assault, pushed him into a wall before slamming him into the ground and proceeded 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.
Dorset Police has now released the full bodycam footage from PC Castle’s partner on the stop, allowing the public to judge 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. …
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.
Breached the scoundrel’s human rights, no doubt. Even a debasing confession of guilt couldn’t save him. He pleaded with his betters for mercy but they terminated him anyway.
Worth reading in full.
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