Ex-Dorset Police Chief Blasts Force Over PC Lorne Castle Sacking
A former Dorset Police Chief Inspector has slammed the force’s decision to sack PC Lorne Castle, branding it a “scandalous injustice” and saying Dorset Police is “no longer fit for purpose.” Retired T/Chief Inspector Chris Amey’s explosive verdict has sparked outrage online and inside policing circles.
How PC Lorne Castle Lost His Job
PC Castle, once a PCSO, was axed without warning after a three-day gross misconduct hearing earlier this year. The case dates back to January 2024, when Castle, fresh off a 10-hour shift, tackled a violent assault in Bournemouth town centre.
Instead of clocking off, Castle responded to a reported attack by a masked suspect accused of assaulting a 14-year-old boy and an elderly man. Using live CCTV, Castle and a colleague found the suspect amid a hostile crowd. The details of the complaint remain secret, but disciplinary proceedings ended Castle’s policing career.
Heroic Record Ignored
Despite a stellar service history, Castle’s bravery was overlooked:
- 2021 Commander’s Commendation for vital community work
- Michael Stannard Community Officer of the Year award
- Busting a county lines drugs gang, seizing £15,000 in cash and drugs
- Two daring river rescues in 2017 and 2024, saving vulnerable people, including one with dementia
Even after earning the Humane Society’s highest honour, Castle was only allowed to attend the ceremony after external pressure forced Dorset Police’s hand.
“He’s the kind of officer you want by your side in any crisis. Loyal. Brave. Decent,” wrote Amey. “The treatment he’s received isn’t just unfair — it’s disgraceful.”
Chris Amey: ‘Ashamed to Have Served’
Amey, retired in 2022 after stints with the Met and Dorset, slammed the force’s “toxic, bureaucratic” culture. He says Castle’s case was the final straw.
“I left ashamed. Now I speak out because I can’t watch a committed, decorated officer be torn down by a system that no longer values courage or truth.”
Outrage Grows as Calls for Reform Mount
The case is trending online with hashtags like #JusticeForLorne and #ReformDorsetPolice. Critics say Castle’s sacking spotlights a nasty divide between frontline realities and harsh disciplinary tactics pushing even top officers out.
Police federation reps, former officers, and community leaders are demanding a full independent review and want the Home Office to step in.
Why This Matters
- Mounting frontline burnout amid poor support
- Disproportionate punishments for officers acting in good faith
- Systemic failure to respect officers’ sacrifice and dedication
Amey ends with a stark warning:
“If this can happen to Lorne, it can happen to any officer. The damage to morale and integrity is incalculable.”
What Next for Dorset Police?
Dorset Police has yet to answer Amey’s scathing claims or address the uproar surrounding Castle’s dismissal. Independent watchdogs are now scrutinising the case and misconduct procedures, with insiders hinting at possible legal challenges ahead.
