Two police officers were fired after conducting a 'humiliating' strip search of a 15-year-old girl who was on her period

Two police officers were fired after conducting a ‘humiliating’ strip search of a 15-year-old girl who was on her period

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In a shocking case of misconduct, two police officers have been dismissed from their roles after they conducted a strip search on a 15-year-old girl while she was on her period.

The incident occurred in December 2020, at a school in Hackney, London, and involved two female officers searching the girl for drugs after she was suspected of carrying cannabis.

The Incident: Humiliating and Degrading

On December 3, 2020, the teenager, known as Child Q in the media, was strip-searched at her school after being suspected of carrying cannabis. The search was conducted by two female officers in a medical room at the school.

The officers exposed intimate parts of the teenager’s body, despite no drugs being found. What made this search even more distressing was that the teenager was on her period at the time.

In a statement, Child Q shared her painful experience, describing how she was taken from a safe place and stripped of her dignity. She expressed the emotional toll it has taken on her, stating that she struggles daily with feelings of anger, sadness, and hopelessness. She added that she hopes this type of treatment never happens to anyone again.

Response to the Incident

Following the hearing, the two officers involved in the strip search were fired for gross misconduct. Trainee Detective Constable Kristina Linge and PC Rafal Szmydynski were both dismissed without notice. A third officer, PC Victoria Wray, received a final written warning after the misconduct was proven.

During the hearing, it was confirmed that the search was humiliating and degrading for the teenager. Her mother, who had been seeking justice for over four years, expressed her distress over the way her daughter was treated.

She questioned whether race or appearance played a role in the decision to strip-search her daughter, further highlighting the deep concerns many people have about racial bias in policing.

Police Acknowledgement and Apology

Commander Kevin Southworth of the Metropolitan Police issued an apology on behalf of the force, expressing deep regret for the trauma caused to Child Q. He admitted that the officers’ actions were not only inappropriate but also reflective of broader organizational failings.

According to Southworth, the training provided to officers on conducting strip searches was inadequate, and the lack of proper oversight meant that officers, particularly those who were junior in rank, were left to make such serious decisions without adequate support or resources.

Southworth acknowledged that the experience of Child Q had a lasting impact on the trust between Black communities in London and the police. He promised that the incident would lead to changes in police procedures and national policies surrounding strip searches.

Moving Forward: Change and Accountability

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that they have taken action to improve training for their officers and to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. They also noted that while the officers did not act with racial bias, the case has sparked significant discussion about the disproportionate targeting of Black individuals by law enforcement.

The hope is that this case will lead to meaningful reforms in policing and better protection of vulnerable individuals, especially minors.

This case serves as a painful reminder of the need for better oversight, training, and accountability in policing practices. It also raises important questions about the treatment of young people, particularly girls, in the justice system.

The wrongful treatment of Child Q has led to the dismissal of two officers and a wider conversation about how police interact with vulnerable individuals. The incident highlights the need for better training, clear guidelines, and strong oversight to prevent such violations from occurring again.

The apologies and reforms promised by the Metropolitan Police are a step in the right direction, but only time will tell if they can regain the trust of communities, especially marginalized groups.

SOURCE

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