Federation ‘extremely concerned’ at decision to release BWV footage from misconduct hearing

It was also “extremely concerned” about the implications for other frontline officers who “in difficult, dynamic and dangerous situations have to use force to protect themselves and the public”.

Dorset Police decided to release the body-worn video (BWV) footage shown at a public misconduct hearing of PC Lorne Castle in relation to the arrest of a teenage boy.

The force said it had chosen to release video given the “high level of public interest in the outcome of the misconduct hearing locally and to challenge misinformation”.

The video shows the moment of PC Castle’s arrival and his conduct with the 15-year-old boy at the scene. It finishes when other officers arrive and PC Castle steps away from the child.

The independent misconduct panel found that PC Castle failed to act with self-control during the incident, and he did not treat the 15-year-old boy with courtesy or respect.

“His shouting, swearing, finger pointing, taking hold of the boy’s face and throat, and suggested use of leg restraints were not necessary, reasonable, or proportionate,” the panel said.

“[However] the panel found that the force used to take the child to the ground was necessary, reasonable, and proportionate.

Dorset Police said: “Media reports have noted that the 15-year-old had a knife at the time of his arrest. This is correct. A knife was found around four minutes into the interaction – and after the 15-year-old boy was in handcuffs.

“PC Castle was responding to information the boy may have been involved in an earlier suspected assault but at no time was there any suggestion of a knife or that a knife had been used.”

PC Castle admitted misconduct in relation to breaching the standards of professional behaviour relating to Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Conduct and Use of Force but denied gross misconduct.

The independent panel, who heard evidence, testimony and viewed BWV footage during the three-day hearing, found that the breaches amounted to gross misconduct and said the matter was so serious that the only outcome was dismissal without notice.

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 BWV 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 anti-social 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.”

She added: “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.”

In a statement following the decision to release the video clip, Dorset Police Federation said: “The force has inexplicably chosen to do this without also providing context or balance and in the full knowledge that an appeal by the officer may be pending.

“The reason for the release appears primarily to be an attempt by Dorset Police to manage some of the public criticism the force has received following the decision to dismiss the officer, rather than a genuine desire to properly inform the public.

“As we have previously mentioned, we are extremely concerned about the implications of the outcome of this case to other hard-working frontline officers who in difficult, dynamic and dangerous situations have to use force to protect themselves and the public.

“The clip released by Dorset Police fails to show the double-bladed knife which falls from the clothing of the suspect at the end of the arrest and that potentially could have been used to inflict serious harm on the officer, the officer’s colleagues or a random member of the public.

“It fails to mention the context that – in an early morning briefing – the officer was warned to be extra cautious due to a mass brawl in the town centre just two nights before, a brawl involving youths with machetes and knives, some of the offenders for which were still outstanding.

“It is also relevant that many aspects of the arrest and the force used by the officer were deemed to have been justified, proportionate and reasonable by the independent panel.”

The Federation added: “Over the last few years, the residents of Bournemouth will have been alarmed by the number of tragic, fatal incidents involving knives and senior commanders in Dorset Police have rightly encouraged officers to be robust in attempting to deal with it.

“Officers would rather have to use no force at all but unfortunately the risks to officers up and down the country when dealing with potentially violent suspects are real and ever present.  We remind that there are 125 assaults on police officers every day in England and Wales.

“Dorset Police Federation has never suggested that the actions of Lorne Castle were without fault – and the officer admitted misconduct in relation to breaching the standards of professional behaviour relating to Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Conduct and Use of Force.

“But to conclude, our view is that the showing of selective clips of an officer’s BWV is not a useful or responsible to way to properly inform the public about an incident – and only serves to entice the public into making judgments without having the benefit of all the facts.

“This is not fair or just.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales said it “endorses and supports Dorset Police Federation’s statement in respect of the Lorne Castle case”.

Acting National Chair Tiff Lynch said: “We are deeply concerned by Dorset Police’s decision to publish without context footage from the incident over which Lorne was dismissed from the force and barred from serving as a police officer.

“While we acknowledge the level of public interest in this case, Lorne has the right to appeal the decision and it’s critical that if he does an appeal is heard fairly and impartially.

“Dorset Police must now release further evidence from witnesses to the incident including the wider circumstances of criminal incidents in the area in the previous days, the briefings officers had coming on-shift that day, the 999 call about the incident and any and all CCTV footage that exists.

“We stand firmly behind the principle that police should be held to the highest of standards but those standards must be applied with fairness, proportionality, and a genuine understanding of the realities of a difficult and dangerous job.

“Police officers are overworked, underpaid and increasingly under threat. Ten thousand of them will walk away from the job every year by 2027 because they have copped enough and more than 40,000 are assaulted every year.

“Anyone concerned about public safety here and now needs to reflect on what their community will look like if the exodus of experienced officers is allowed to continue.

“For obvious reasons we cannot comment further on the circumstances in this case but continue to support Lorne as we would any other member.”

Dorset police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Sidwick said he “fully supported Dorset Police in its decision to release the BWV”

He said: “When I became Dorset’s PCC, I made a promise to the people of Dorset that their police would be crimefighters. That cultural change is in part responsible for the reduction in anti-social behaviour and violence in our county. Robustness and professionalism however must go hand in hand.

“I fully support Dorset Police in their decision to release the BWV in relation to the recent misconduct hearing. This footage formed part of the undisputed evidence at the hearing, and I would encourage all those who have taken an interest in this case to watch the footage and consider it alongside the facts in the case when forming an opinion. I would encourage you all to make your own judgement on the matter and not base your views on the opinions of others, who may after all, have their own agenda or be pursuing an inaccurate narrative.

“As I said in my previous statement, there is a simple but profound principle of policing by consent. The police derive their authority and legitimacy from your approval and support. Police officers must always act in a way that upholds that public trust. Their role and powers are unique, and officers must use them responsibly, and with respect for the law and for the dignity of all people.

“Effective policing, therefore, is built on public trust and confidence. Gaining and keeping that trust and confidence depends entirely on having a policing service that is ethical and professional in the way that it is effective and respects, listens, responds and serves the public.

“I want a robust and effective police force, of course I do; I have never advocated for ‘soft options’ when it comes to criminal justice and I’m not about to start now.

The force said the formal written outcome of the hearing from the panel chair will be published in due course.