"Ashamed": Former Dorset Police Chief Inspector Exposes Scandalous Dismissal of PC Lorne Castle That Has Rocked British Policing
A decorated officer saved lives and tackled armed criminals, but his career was sacrificed by a police force a retired Chief Inspector, who personally trained him, calls "no longer fit for purpose."
It’s not every day that a retired T/Chief Inspector steps forward to speak publicly and with such conviction. When they do, and their words spread rapidly across social media, it’s usually a sign that something has gone seriously wrong. That’s exactly what has happened in the case of PC Lorne Castle. (Scroll to the bottom of this blog for a link to the full statement from Mr Amey, the former Chief Inspector who mentored and trained Castle.)
Chris Amey dedicated 30 years of his life to protecting the public through his service in the police, split between the Met and Dorset. In his own words, he left Dorset Police in 2022 “ashamed.” And now, he’s gone public to explain exactly why, because of how one of the most decent, selfless, and committed officers he's ever worked with has just been treated.
Lorne Castle was dismissed without notice following a three-day Gross Misconduct Hearing. He had served Dorset for over a decade, first as a PCSO and later as a Constable. Chris Amey first met him in 2013 while recruiting Community Safety Accredited Officers for a project aimed at reducing crime in Boscombe.
Lorne stood out immediately. Amey recommended him for the regular police because of his drive, discipline, and heart. He trained Lorne personally through both PCSO and Constable roles and describes him as exemplary.
Lorne’s service record reads like that of a frontline hero. In 2021, he received a Commander’s Commendation for helping to steer a young man away from antisocial behaviour and into employment. That same year, he disrupted a serious drug operation with links to county lines crime, seizing £15,000 worth of drugs and cash. He was named Michael Stannard Community Officer of the Year for his efforts.
In 2017 and again in 2024, he TWICE risked his own life to save others. One incident involved pulling two members of the public from a dangerous river. The other involved rescuing an elderly person with dementia from the freezing Avon. He entered the water without hesitation and kept the woman safe until other emergency services could arrive. The Humane Society honoured him with its highest award, though shockingly, Dorset Police had to be pressured to include him in the ceremony.
But all of this counted for nothing. In January 2024, after a 10-hour shift, Lorne responded to a violent assault in Bournemouth town centre. Despite his long shift finishing, he put up for the call because nobody else was available. A masked offender had allegedly attacked an elderly man and a 14-year-old boy. Lorne could have clocked off and gone home to his family. He didn’t. CCTV directed him and a colleague to a suspect wearing a face covering and surrounded by others.
As he attempted to detain the male, who resisted and fought back, Lorne fell to the ground with him. Surrounded by an aggressive group, he struggled to gain control. At that point, a knife fell from the suspect’s waistband, a double-ended Stanley-type blade. Still, Lorne managed to get the teen cuffed. Yes, he used reasonable force to subdue the male. Yes, he used language he regrets. But as Amey says, who wouldn’t in that moment? The offender was violent, armed, and had just allegedly assaulted two people. Most of us would panic too.
The case should have gone no further. Lorne’s sergeant was aware and dealt with it appropriately. But an ‘ambitious’ inspector looking to make Chief Inspector took it to Professional Standards, which initially saw no grounds for involvement. That allegedly changed when Supt Ricky Dhanda, who has since been linked to a sexual misconduct matter, insisted it be escalated to Gross Misconduct. Against advice.
The entire process, Amey argues, was riddled with inconsistency and double standards. Dorset Police appeared more concerned with Lorne’s forceful arrest than with the fact that a knife-wielding teenager had assaulted vulnerable members of the public. Neither victim wanted to pursue a complaint. But colleagues did.
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The panel found Lorne guilty of failing to act with courtesy and respect. Just pause on that for a second before we continue.
We’ve reached a point in the UK where a brave police officer responding to a violent, armed suspect can be disciplined, not for unlawful force, but for not being polite enough. It is beyond ridiculous, and thankfully, the vast majority of the public and emergency services know it.
The so-called chokehold allegation was not even proven. Yet shouting, swearing, and losing his temper while trying to control a dangerous situation was somehow enough to destroy his career. The same force that once failed to shake his hand after a bravery award had no hesitation in showing him the door.
Even worse, the offender in the case received an out-of-court disposal for carrying a knife. The officer was sacked. The knife-carrying teenager who, by all accounts, was causing mayhem in the town, got a warning.
Lorne had all tactical options available that day: Taser, PAVA, baton. He chose not to use them. He chose to arrest using conventional methods to limit injury. He didn’t provoke violence. Heavily outnumbered, he tried to contain it.
Chris Amey doesn’t mince his words. He calls it a witch hunt. He calls Dorset Police a force more interested in appeasing optics than protecting its own. He accuses senior officers of shielding themselves while throwing junior ranks under the bus. He makes no attempt to soften his conclusion. In his view, Dorset Police is no longer fit for purpose.
He’s heard from serving officers who say they’re disgusted. He’s seen the overwhelming public support for Lorne online and in person. And he asks the critical question: what kind of policing future are we creating if taking on armed offenders could now mean career death?
Chris Amey is now helping to raise financial support for Lorne and his family, to give them breathing room after this devastating blow. Because as he puts it, Lorne is exactly the kind of police officer you’d want protecting your family. And now he’s gone.
This is what happens when leadership forgets who the real heroes are.
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You can now read the full statement from retired T/Chief Inspector Chris Amey, whose words have resonated with hundreds of thousands across social media. His detailed account offers powerful insight into PC Lorne Castle’s character and the troubling decisions made by Dorset Police. READ THE FULL STATEMENT
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The Inspector who instigated this with PSD should be denied further promotion as not fit to manage others as obvious that his own self interests take precedence.
Disgraceful. During my 27 yrs as a Constable giving these decisions I could have been sacked loads of times. Cursing happens. I was proud to have served in the RUC GC & generally always supported in my decisions.
There are just no words to describe how stupid the decision was even to discipline this officer.