A decorated UK police officer was fired for failing to treat a knife-wielding teenage gang member with “courtesy and respect” during a dangerous arrest, sparking outrage over woke policing policies that prioritize criminal feelings over officer safety and public protection.
Story Highlights
- Police Constable Lorne Castle dismissed after telling screaming knife suspect to “stop screaming like a b***h” during arrest
- Castle tackled masked 15-year-old involved in gang fight who dropped knife during apprehension
- Appeals tribunal granted Castle’s challenge citing unreasonable decision and procedural breaches
- Public raises over £133,000 for decorated officer through GoFundMe campaign
Decorated Officer Punished for Arresting Armed Suspect
Police Constable Lorne Castle, a bravery award recipient with Dorset Police, lost his career in June 2025 after a misconduct panel determined his language violated professional standards during a January 2024 arrest.
Castle tackled a masked 15-year-old suspect following a gang fight near a McDonald’s in Bournemouth, where the teenager had allegedly assaulted an elderly man. During the arrest, a knife fell from the suspect’s pocket, yet Castle faced punishment for telling the screaming suspect to “stop screaming like a b***h.”
The misconduct panel concluded Castle’s actions and language failed to demonstrate “courtesy and respect” required under modern policing standards. This decision effectively ended the career of an officer previously recognized for bravery, raising serious questions about priorities within UK law enforcement.
The case exemplifies how bureaucratic standards can undermine practical policing when officers face real-world dangers from armed criminals.
Woke Policies Undermine Police Effectiveness
Castle’s dismissal reflects the dangerous infiltration of politically correct ideology into British policing, where officer conduct toward violent criminals receives more scrutiny than public safety.
The College of Policing’s 2014 Code of Ethics mandates treating all individuals with respect regardless of circumstances, creating an impossible standard for officers confronting armed suspects. This approach prioritizes the feelings of criminals over the safety of law-abiding citizens and the officers protecting them.
The incident occurred in Bournemouth, an area plagued by gang violence and knife crime where officers face genuine threats daily. Rather than supporting officers who risk their lives apprehending dangerous suspects, police leadership chose to sacrifice Castle’s career to appease bureaucratic standards.
This sends a chilling message to other officers that effective policing will be punished if it doesn’t conform to unrealistic expectations of politeness toward violent criminals.
Public Rallies Behind Embattled Officer
The Appeals Tribunal granted Castle’s challenge on three grounds: the unreasonableness of Dorset Police’s decision, new evidence not previously considered, and procedural breaches during the disciplinary process.
Castle expressed relief at the appeal opportunity, stating the dismissal devastated him after losing “a job that I loved serving the people of Dorset.” The tribunal’s decision validates concerns that the original punishment was excessive and procedurally flawed.
Public support for Castle demonstrates widespread recognition that his treatment represents a dangerous precedent for British policing. Citizens contributed over £133,000 to his GoFundMe campaign, understanding that undermining effective officers ultimately compromises public safety.
This grassroots response highlights the growing disconnect between police leadership’s politically correct priorities and the public’s desire for practical law enforcement that prioritizes safety over criminal sensitivities.
Sources:
UK Policeman Fired for Not Treating Knifeman With ‘Courtesy’
Decorated officer sacked for tackling knifeman can appeal against dismissal
