A decorated British police officer was fired for telling a knife-wielding teenage gang member to “stop screaming like a b***h” during arrest, sparking outrage over woke policing priorities that punish heroes while coddling criminals.
Story Highlights
- Police Constable Lorne Castle dismissed for “gross misconduct” after tackling masked 15-year-old with knife
- Castle found guilty of failing to show “courtesy and respect” to violent gang member during January 2024 arrest
- Previously decorated officer’s appeal granted by tribunal citing procedural breaches and unreasonable disciplinary action
- Public fundraising campaign raises over £133,000 in support of dismissed officer
Hero Officer Punished for Harsh Words to Knife Criminal
Police Constable Lorne Castle, a decorated Dorset Police officer with a previous bravery award, lost his career in June 2025 after a misconduct panel determined he violated professional conduct standards during a dangerous arrest. The incident occurred on January 27, 2024, when Castle responded to reports of a gang fight near a McDonald’s in Bournemouth and tackled a masked 15-year-old suspect who had allegedly assaulted an elderly man. During the arrest, a knife fell from the teenager’s pocket, yet Castle was later fired for telling the screaming suspect to “stop screaming like a b***h.”
Woke Disciplinary Standards Prioritize Criminals Over Safety
The Dorset Police misconduct panel concluded that Castle’s language and arrest method failed to demonstrate the required “courtesy and respect” mandated by modern policing standards, despite the suspect being armed and dangerous. This decision reflects the broader implementation of the College of Policing’s 2014 Code of Ethics, which emphasizes treating all individuals with respect regardless of circumstances. The case highlights how administrative bureaucrats have twisted legitimate professional standards into weapons against effective policing, prioritizing political correctness over public safety and officer effectiveness in high-risk situations involving violent criminals.
Public Backlash Exposes Common Sense Gap
Castle’s dismissal triggered widespread public outrage, with supporters raising over £133,000 through crowdfunding efforts and expressing frustration over backwards priorities in law enforcement. The Police Appeals Tribunal granted Castle’s appeal 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 decision, stating the past six months have been “very difficult” after losing a job he loved serving the people of Dorset for many years.
The case represents a disturbing trend where decorated officers face career destruction for using firm language during dangerous arrests, while violent criminals receive protection under misguided “courtesy” requirements. This backwards approach undermines police morale, public safety, and common sense, forcing officers to choose between effective law enforcement and career survival when confronting armed suspects who threaten communities.
Broader Implications for British Law Enforcement
Castle’s case exemplifies the practical impossibility of maintaining artificial politeness standards during life-threatening encounters with violent criminals. The incident demonstrates how progressive policing policies have created an environment where officers must prioritize the feelings of knife-carrying gang members over effective crime prevention and public protection. This approach threatens to transform British policing into an ineffective social work program rather than a crime-fighting force capable of protecting law-abiding citizens from violent predators.
The outcome of Castle’s upcoming appeal hearing will signal whether British law enforcement can restore balance between professional conduct and practical crime-fighting effectiveness, or continue down the path of prioritizing criminal comfort over public safety and officer morale.
Sources:
UK Policeman Fired for Not Treating Knifeman With ‘Courtesy’
Decorated officer sacked for tackling knifeman can appeal against dismissal
