Three Metropolitan Police officers are set to face gross misconduct hearings following the wrongful strip-search of a 15-year-old black schoolgirl, referred to as Child Q, in Hackney in December 2020. The incident has caused widespread outrage due to allegations of racial discrimination, inadequate supervision, and the absence of an appropriate adult during the search.
Child Q was mistakenly accused of carrying drugs and was subjected to a strip-search while she was on her period. No drugs were found during the search. The officers involved did not obtain the necessary authorisation and caused significant trauma to the girl. This incident has been strongly criticised across the country.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has demanded an apology from the Metropolitan Police to Child Q and her mother. The IOPC also condemned the officers for racial and gender discrimination. The allegations include conducting an inappropriate search without proper supervisory approval or the presence of an appropriate adult.
Three officers will face gross misconduct hearings, which could lead to their dismissal. Additionally, a fourth officer will face disciplinary action for failing to provide an appropriate adult during the search.
The strip-search took place in the school’s medical room after Child Q was pulled out of an exam by two female Met officers who were searching for cannabis. Disturbingly, teachers waited outside while the girl’s intimate body parts were exposed and she was forced to remove her sanitary towel.
Steve Noonan, director of the IOPC, emphasised that the officers must be held accountable through disciplinary proceedings. Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway issued a formal apology, recognising the trauma caused to Child Q. He also confirmed that new measures have been introduced to enforce higher authorisation levels for strip-searches and that the number of such searches has been significantly reduced due to concerns about their misuse.
Originally published by UKNIP.
