'Humiliating' strip search of girl, 15, was gross misconduct by Met officers - hearing

Two Metropolitan Police officers committed gross misconduct during the "disproportionate" and "humiliating" strip search of a 15-year-old black girl at school who was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis, a disciplinary hearing has found. In a press release, the force said the hearing found a "number of allegations proven" against two officers, trainee Detective Constable Kristina Linge, PC Victoria Wray and PC Rafal Szmydynski.

Both are attached to Central East Command Unit which covers Hackney and Tower Hamlets. The hearing did not find that the officers were influenced by the race of the teenager, referred to as Child Q, nor that was she subject to adultification, which according to the College of Policing describes "discrimination and bias where children are presumed to be older and less vulnerable compared to others".

Commander Kevin Southworth said: "The experience of Child Q should never have happened and was truly regrettable.

"We have sincerely apologised to Child Q since this incident happened. Again, I am deeply sorry to Child Q and her family for the trauma that we caused her, and the damage this incident caused to the trust and confidence Black communities across London have in our officers.

"While the officers involved did not act correctly, we acknowledge there were organisational failings. Training to our officers around strip search and the type of search carried out on Child Q was inadequate, and our oversight of the power was also severely lacking.

"This left officers, often young in service or junior in rank, making difficult decisions in complex situations with little information, support or clear resources to help their decision-making.

"What happened to Child Q was a catalyst for change both for the Met and for policing nationally.

"While we should not have needed an incident such as Child Q to check our approach, it has absolutely led us to improving our processes and significantly reducing the number of these types of searches carried out.

"It's crucial we get this right to ensure the impact on young people is minimised as far as possible.

"Sadly, we know there are children in London being exploited to carry drugs and weapons for others as well as involved in criminality, so these types of searches have to remain within police powers. The work we have done since Child Q means we now have the right safeguards in place."

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