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A misconduct panel has been told that a black schoolgirl, referred to as Child Q, was informed by Metropolitan Police officers that she “might be arrested” if she refused to comply during a strip-search at her school in Hackney, east London in 2020. The officers conducted the search after the girl’s teachers mistakenly suspected her of carrying cannabis. This invasive search involved the removal of the 15-year-old’s clothing, including underwear, and required her to expose intimate parts of her body while she was menstruating.
Trainee Det Con Kristina Linge, PC Victoria Wray, and PC Rafal Szmydynski, who were constables at the time, are denying allegations of gross misconduct in relation to their handling of the incident. During the misconduct panel proceedings, Det Con Linge stated that there was “no threat of arrest” made to Child Q, despite the mention of potential arrest if she refused to be searched.
Det Con Linge, who had joined the Met Police in 2018 and was still in her probationary period during the incident, also faced questions regarding her awareness of stereotypes related to black individuals. The officer confirmed that she had received training on issues such as unconscious bias and discriminatory stereotypes, but she failed to recognize the significance of the race dynamics involved in this case. Additionally, Det Con Linge denied the suggestion that Child Q was not treated as a child during the search and insisted that the search was conducted with the child’s consent, contrary to evidence presented during cross-examination.
The hearing further addressed concerns about the lack of adult supervision during the search, with no one present to provide guidance to the child, facilitate communication with the police, or ensure the protection of her rights. The panel heard conflicting statements from Det Con Linge regarding the handling of the situation and the potential implications for the child involved. The proceedings continue as the panel examines the actions of the officers and their alleged misconduct in the strip-search of Child Q
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