COPS last night released a video showing a sacked police officer tackling a teenage suspect and screaming in his face.
The shocking footage was made public after a campaign was launched to reverse the decision to dismiss Pc Lorne Castle for the “aggressive” and “intimidating” arrest.
Cops last night released a video showing a sacked police officer tackling a teenage suspect and screaming in his faceDorset Police
This is the moment PC Lorne Castle pinned the teen downDorset Police
BNPSThe officer was sacked over his aggressive arrest of a knife-carrying teen[/caption]
Bravery award winning bobby Pc Castle was responding to reports the teenager had been involved in two assaults in Bournemouth when he arrested him in January last year.
But his actions were deemed to have made the boy feel “frightened and intimidated” and he had failed to act with self-control and was found guilty of gross misconduct.
Dorset Police yesterday released the full body worn footage of the assault “given the high level of public interest in the outcome of the misconduct hearing locally and to challenge misinformation”.
It warned the “video contains content that some viewers may find distressing”.
The 1min58s footage shows Castle grab the teen as he walks along the street and pin him to the floor.
Pc Castle shouts: “Show me your f****** hands”, as the boy screams: “What have I done?”
Castle then jabs a finger at him and shouts: “Stop screaming like a little b****,” and tells him to “Shut up,” as the boy pleads: “I’ve done nothing.”
Castle calls for back up and then says to the boy: “Stop resisting or I’m going to smash you.”
In the video Castle can be seen holding the teen’s face to the ground while he kneels astride him.
A Stanley-style knife was later found on the lad but Castle did not know he was carrying a knife when he arrested him.
The video emerged as a crowdfunding campaign, launched by ex-Met and Dorset chief inspector Chris Amey, had reached over £22,000 to help pay for Castle’s wages.
Other former officers had called on the Home Secretary to step in, while a petition asking for him to be reinstated had been signed by 2,000 people.
Married father of three PC Castle, who also runs a boxing academy with wife Denise, had thanked people for the “unbelievable amount of public support”.
He had twice won a bravery award, including rescuing a woman from a river, and won community officer of the year award in 2021.
The 1min58s footage shows Castle grab the teen as he walks along the street and pin him to the floorDorset Police
His actions were deemed to have made the boy feel “frightened and intimidated”Dorset Police
Pc Castle shouts: “Show me your f****** hands”, as the boy screams: “What have I done?”Dorset Police
Dorset Police deputy chief constable Rachel Farrell said: “I understand the strength of feeling in this case and it is right to be open and transparent about what the independent panel saw, alongside other evidence and testimony.
“We are sharing Body Worn Video to address concerns about misinformation and to reassure the public that, while tackling crime in Dorset, our officers will continue to be proactive and robust – but by using their powers proportionately and with respect.
“Tackling violence, knife crime and antisocial behaviour are absolutely our priorities.
“At times our officers are required to use force to affect the arrest of suspects, prevent offences and protect the public, their colleagues and themselves.
“I have 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. They do a tough job and when their actions are proportionate, necessary and reasonable they will always be supported.
“We recognise the risks they place themselves in every day and, as an organisation, 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 would like to remind people that the independent panel gave anonymity to the 15-year-old boy and I urge people not to speculate without fact.”
‘CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING’
Chris Amey, who served in the police for 30 years and worked with PC Castle, said while the language was “a bit strong”, the way the arrest was carried out was “no different or worse than what happens thousands of times a day.”
He said: “I think Dorset Police releasing this video shows their desperation.
“It is a real dirty tricks move and an attempt to discredit him.
“I’ve watched the video and in my mind I think it is something you would see on a typical Friday or Saturday night up and down the country.
“I’m looking at an officer who is trying to restrain a violent offender who has just assaulted two members of the public with a crowd of people surrounding him.
“I can assure the public that this probably happens in thousands of incidents up and down the country every single day.
“It was a lawful arrest and he used reasonable force.
“The language is a bit strong but we have to sometimes use language to get compliance.”
He said the police should have released the entire video and not just a two minute clip.
He said: “Context is everything. If you are going to show the video you should show the whole incident.
“Are they going to release footage of the prior assaults or the moment the knife falls out of the boy’s pocket while Lorne is making the arrest?
“I believe Lorne should be commended for taking a knife off the street which is the aim of Dorset Police’s latest campaign.”
BNPSPC Lorne Castle won community officer of the year award in 2021[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
