Child Q: Two police officers committed 'gross misconduct' for strip searching girl at Hackney school
Two Metropolitan Police officers "committed gross misconduct" when strip searching a 15-year-old girl, at her school in Hackney, east London.
Trainee detective constable Kristina Linge, and Pc Rafal Szmydynski, who were police constables at the time, were found to have committed gross misconduct, as they breached standards in relation to authority, respect and courtesy, orders and instructions, duties and responsibilities and discreditable contact.
Pc Victoria Wray committed misconduct.
Child Q had arrived for a mock exam, smelling of cannabis, and was taken to the medical room to be strip-searched while teachers remained outside, on December 3 2020.
This involved the removal of her clothing including underwear, her bending over and having to expose intimate parts of her body while she was menstruating, the panel heard.
No drugs were found by the teachers who searched Child Q's blazer, shoes and school bag before the school's safeguarding deputy called police.
The misconduct hearing concluded that the search on Child Q was unnecessary, inappropriate and disproportionate.
It was carried out without authorisation from a more senior officer, without an appropriate adult present and a proper record was not made afterwards.
They were called amid fears Child Q could have been carrying drugs for someone, being exploited or groomed in the community – which meant it was a safeguarding issue for her and other school pupils.
No drugs were found by the teachers who searched Child Q's blazer, shoes and school bag before the school's safeguarding deputy called police.
Outrage over Child Q's treatment led to protests outside Stoke Newington Police Station.
The Metropolitan Police has apologised for the incident and said the search "should never have happened."
Commander Kevin Southworth said: '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.'
Diane Abbot, who is the MP for Hackney, where the incident took place, told ITV News London she believes a criminal investigation should take place. The representative for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said "When I heard the details, I was horrified. she's still traumatised by it today. And this is four years later.
"You can't humiliate a young teenager like that. You can't.
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an hour ago
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