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A young schoolgirl underwent a humiliating strip search at her school by police officers who wrongly suspected her of carrying cannabis. Child Q, a 15-year-old black girl, faced this invasive search while on her period, causing psychological distress that prevented her from testifying at the misconduct hearing for the officers involved. The three Metropolitan Police officers, Det Con Kristina Linge, PC Victoria Wray, and PC Rafal Szmydynski, all deny gross misconduct in their treatment of Child Q.
The incident took place in Hackney, east London, on December 3, 2020, without the presence of an appropriate adult during the search. Outrage and protests erupted outside Stoke Newington Police Station after a safeguarding review confirmed the details of the strip search, which uncovered no evidence of cannabis on Child Q. The search involved the removal of her clothing, including her underwear, exposing intimate parts, despite her menstrual status being disclosed to the officers.
During the search, the officers failed to reconsider the appropriateness and proportionality of their actions when Child Q mentioned she was menstruating. The officers’ disproportionate and degrading behavior towards the young girl was highlighted in the allegations of unjustified, inappropriate, and humiliating conduct. The lack of authorization, absence of an appropriate adult, and disregard for Child Q’s age and well-being further compounded the misconduct allegations.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) overseeing the case emphasized the gross overreaction of the officers and suggested racial discrimination may have played a role in the excessive response. Black individuals, especially schoolchildren, are disproportionately targeted for searches compared to their white counterparts, leading to unjust treatment and more intrusive actions. If the allegations against the officers are proven, the IOPC argued that their dismissal would be warranted, given the harm caused to Child Q’s mental health and the further strain on race relations between the police and minority communities
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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