This week, once again, the split-second decision making of our police officers has come under the spotlight. Two separate cases—those of PC Lorne Castle and PC Sam Wilkes—have highlighted the sheer complexity and pressure faced by those on the frontline of policing in the UK.
PC Lorne Castle, formerly of Dorset Police, was dismissed from his role after arresting a knife-wielding teenager suspected of two assaults—one of them on a pensioner. The panel reviewing the case agreed that the force he used in restraining the boy was proportionate and that he believed the teenager was trying to flee. Yet, he was sacked for his use of inappropriate language, pointing, and leg restraints. In a climate where officers face weapons and violence daily, Castle was removed not for the arrest itself, but for a perceived lack of courtesy.
Meanwhile, PC Sam Wilkes, an off-duty Met officer, found himself facing charges of grievous bodily harm for performing CPR on a man he believed had gone into cardiac arrest on the Tube. The defibrillator at the scene indicated the man had stopped breathing. Acting on instinct and training, Wilkes administered CPR, which unfortunately caused injury to the man—who later claimed he had been conscious and was shouting for the officer to stop. Despite the context and clear intention to help, Wilkes faced months of uncertainty before the CPS eventually dropped the case.
These incidents are not isolated. They are a stark reminder of the burden police officers carry every day. In Nottingham, a police officer recently ran to save a man who had fallen onto train tracks. In doing so, he was struck and killed by an oncoming train. That officer made the ultimate sacrifice. Every single decision these officers make could be their last. Why would anyone want to do this job anymore?
Recruitment into the police is at an all-time low. People ask why, but perhaps the answer is becoming clearer each week. Most people who join the police do so because they want to make a positive difference. They care about their communities and want to protect others. But we’ve now reached a point where policing feels like complete madness. Officers face not only physical danger, but constant legal, political, and media scrutiny, and often feel abandoned by their leadership, their federation, and even the public they serve.
Yes, many in the public still appreciate and support our police. They see the realities. They see the strain and pressure, and many shake their heads in disbelief at how little backing officers receive. But the truth is, those voices of support are rarely the loudest. The loudest are the critics. And as officers see colleagues sacked for using a swear word in a life-threatening situation, or face prosecution for trying to save a life, they begin to wonder: who’s got my back?
Many are voting with their feet. Officers are leaving the force in droves to become train drivers, delivery workers, or security staff—jobs with more security, less scrutiny, and fewer risks. It’s no wonder. In the case of PC Castle, only a limited portion of the body-worn footage was made public. The full context remains unseen by the public. For PC Wilkes, he trusted a defibrillator and did what he thought was right—only to find himself in a courtroom.
So how must these officers feel? Likely disillusioned, unsupported, and demoralised. Because not only do they do one of the most demanding, dangerous, and emotionally draining jobs in our society—they do it knowing that if they slip up by a single word or action, their career might end instantly. They work with the constant risk of losing not just their job, but their reputation, their livelihood, and sometimes, even their freedom.
Who’s batting in their corner when things get tough? It appears, for many, the answer is: no one. And that may be the most painful truth of all.
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