PC LORNE CASTLE SAYS INVESTIGATION INTO HIS CONDUCT HAS LEFT HIM “FEARFUL”

A police officer who was found guilty of gross misconduct after arresting a 15 year old with a knife has said he hopes ‘something good’ comes out of him speaking out.
Speaking Exclusively to Nigel Farage on GB News, Lorne Castle said:
“It was the end of a shift and I responded to a call that, in my opinion, sounded quite urgent.
“Noticed the offender, did dynamic risk assessment and responded exactly as the video shows. The intention was to arrest a potentially violent subject without any injuries and to make sure it’s safe. The result was the suspect was arrested, there were no injuries, there were no complaints, and also a knife was removed from the street.
“I was with another colleague, we were in the car. That’s whose video footage you can see.
“There were at least three [suspects] walking up the street. Once we were on the ground, I did become aware in my peripheral vision that there were others, and there’s a witness statement who verifies that as well.
“It’s not a nice situation to be in ever and I’m sure a lot of officers have been in that situation, which is why I’m here now. Because any mistake, pause, hesitation can have dramatic results.
“I can’t talk about the incident, but that’s what I’m concerned about for every officer that goes out there and looks at doing this sort of arrest.
“I know I made that split decision with no ill intent. My intention was good, which is why I maintained my innocence and my dignity throughout it all, because I know my own mindset.
“The fear that this is going to send through anyone, and even myself, depending what happens, if anything I do where I know my decision making is good, could be analysed by somebody, almost like a sport armchair critiquing it down the line – sitting there going, ‘I wouldn’t have done that. You could have done that.’
“And then a year and a half down the line, asked to also expand fully on it is going to make you pause. And whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, I think that’s something that needs to be looked at. Because if you’ve got officers that maybe might not make the right decisions in those circumstances, then maybe there’s something wrong with recruitment.
“The witness statement was read out in my hearing, but I don’t think it carried any weight, unfortunately. From my personal heart of hearts, it made me realise, yes, everything I could see out of my peripheral vision, everything there my risk assessment was right.
“And without a member to public phoning in to actually do that at the time, which they did, it was on the call log then you’re subject to whatever anyone decides to watch your body worn [camera] and then analyse that.
“My whole career could rest on that one statement, I’m so thankful for him or her to phone in.
“I don’t know if I’m allowed an appeal. I have to wait until one of the regulations comes through as to whether I was dismissed on grounds that I’m allowed to appeal on. So that’s why there’s certain things I can’t say.
“Once that’s come through, I’ll see whether I’m allowed to appeal. I might not even be allowed.
“I’m 46 years old. I came into policing about 9 or 10, years ago. Prior to that, I was in the sports industry, went to Bournemouth University and did law. I’m known by a lot of people. I’ve had a confident life. I’m happy, and I get on with people.
“And the last year and a half since they put me on restricted duties, I’m not on face to face contact; I feel isolated, fearful, I don’t know whether I’m going to be able to pay the mortgage and bring money home.
“I have really, really held it together. And I just want to say, especially the days of a hearing, which were horrendous, and I’m quite a strong, confident character: it could have broken me.
“But I had such good support and I really feel now for every officer that’s messaged me and said they probably didn’t have that, and they cracked under pressure. And it is a really hard job.
“That’s why I’m here not just for me but for everyone. For everyone that wears that uniform that goes out and does the right job. I’m hoping that some good comes of this even if I don’t get any job back or anything.”