Met Police Officers Dismissed Over Strip-Search of Black Schoolgirl
Published 26 June 2025
Highlights
- Two Met Police officers were dismissed for gross misconduct after strip-searching a 15-year-old black schoolgirl, known as Child Q, in Hackney, east London.
- The search, deemed "disproportionate and inappropriate," occurred in December 2020 without an appropriate adult present, while the girl was menstruating.
- A third officer received a final written warning for misconduct, but the panel found no evidence that race or age influenced the treatment of Child Q.
- The incident sparked public protests and highlighted concerns about racial profiling and police accountability within the Metropolitan Police.
- The Met Police has since apologized and introduced new protocols to prevent similar incidents, aiming to rebuild trust with black communities in London.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Met Police Officers Dismissed Over Strip-Search of Black Schoolgirl
In a case that has drawn widespread attention and sparked public protests, two Metropolitan Police officers have been dismissed for gross misconduct following the strip-search of a 15-year-old black schoolgirl, referred to as Child Q, at her school in Hackney, east London. The incident, which took place in December 2020, was described by a misconduct panel as "disproportionate, inappropriate, and unnecessary," leaving the girl feeling degraded and humiliated.
Incident Details and Misconduct Findings
The strip-search was conducted after school staff suspected Child Q of carrying cannabis, a suspicion that proved unfounded. The search was carried out without notifying her mother and without an appropriate adult present, despite the girl being on her period. The panel found that trainee Detective Constable Kristina Linge and PC Rafal Szmydynski committed gross misconduct, leading to their dismissal. A third officer, PC Victoria Wray, was found guilty of misconduct and received a final written warning.
Community Reaction and Racial Profiling Concerns
The case has intensified scrutiny on the Metropolitan Police's handling of racial profiling and accountability. Although the panel concluded that neither race nor age influenced the officers' actions, the incident has damaged trust within black communities in London. Public protests erupted in March 2022 after details emerged in a safeguarding report, with many questioning the treatment of black schoolchildren by police.
Metropolitan Police Response and Reforms
In response to the incident, the Metropolitan Police has issued an apology to Child Q and her family. Commander Kevin Southworth acknowledged the organizational failings and announced changes to police procedures, including requiring inspector authorization and the presence of an appropriate adult for searches involving exposure of intimate parts. The force is committed to working closely with schools and community partners to restore trust and prevent future incidents.
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Scenario Analysis
The dismissal of the officers involved in the Child Q case marks a significant step in addressing police misconduct, yet it underscores the ongoing challenges of racial profiling and accountability within the Metropolitan Police. The force's commitment to procedural reforms and community engagement will be crucial in rebuilding trust, particularly among black communities in London. Moving forward, the effectiveness of these measures will likely be scrutinized by both the public and oversight bodies, potentially influencing broader discussions on police reform and racial justice in the UK.
In a case that has drawn widespread attention and sparked public protests, two Metropolitan Police officers have been dismissed for gross misconduct following the strip-search of a 15-year-old black schoolgirl, referred to as Child Q, at her school in Hackney, east London. The incident, which took place in December 2020, was described by a misconduct panel as "disproportionate, inappropriate, and unnecessary," leaving the girl feeling degraded and humiliated.
Incident Details and Misconduct Findings
The strip-search was conducted after school staff suspected Child Q of carrying cannabis, a suspicion that proved unfounded. The search was carried out without notifying her mother and without an appropriate adult present, despite the girl being on her period. The panel found that trainee Detective Constable Kristina Linge and PC Rafal Szmydynski committed gross misconduct, leading to their dismissal. A third officer, PC Victoria Wray, was found guilty of misconduct and received a final written warning.
Community Reaction and Racial Profiling Concerns
The case has intensified scrutiny on the Metropolitan Police's handling of racial profiling and accountability. Although the panel concluded that neither race nor age influenced the officers' actions, the incident has damaged trust within black communities in London. Public protests erupted in March 2022 after details emerged in a safeguarding report, with many questioning the treatment of black schoolchildren by police.
Metropolitan Police Response and Reforms
In response to the incident, the Metropolitan Police has issued an apology to Child Q and her family. Commander Kevin Southworth acknowledged the organizational failings and announced changes to police procedures, including requiring inspector authorization and the presence of an appropriate adult for searches involving exposure of intimate parts. The force is committed to working closely with schools and community partners to restore trust and prevent future incidents.
What this might mean
The dismissal of the officers involved in the Child Q case marks a significant step in addressing police misconduct, yet it underscores the ongoing challenges of racial profiling and accountability within the Metropolitan Police. The force's commitment to procedural reforms and community engagement will be crucial in rebuilding trust, particularly among black communities in London. Moving forward, the effectiveness of these measures will likely be scrutinized by both the public and oversight bodies, potentially influencing broader discussions on police reform and racial justice in the UK.
