Fact Check: Two Met Police Officers Sacked for Strip-Searching 15-Year-Old Schoolgirl
What We Know
In a recent ruling, two Metropolitan Police officers, trainee Det Con Kristina Linge and PC Rafal Szmydynski, were dismissed for gross misconduct after their involvement in the strip-search of a 15-year-old girl, known as Child Q, at her school in Hackney, London, in December 2020. The search was deemed "disproportionate, inappropriate, and unnecessary" by a disciplinary panel, which found that the officers failed to consider Child Q's age and vulnerability during the incident (BBC, The Guardian).
The girl was strip-searched without the presence of an appropriate adult and while she was menstruating, under the suspicion of possessing cannabis, which was never found. A third officer, PC Victoria Wray, received a final written warning for her role in the search (Independent).
Analysis
The findings of the misconduct hearing highlight significant failings in police protocol and the treatment of vulnerable individuals. The panel concluded that the actions of the officers were not only grossly inappropriate but also humiliating for Child Q, who expressed deep emotional distress as a result of the incident (BBC, The Guardian).
While the panel acknowledged that the search was unjustified, it did not find that race played a role in the officers' decision-making, despite testimony indicating that black schoolchildren are often treated as older and less vulnerable than their white peers (Independent). This aspect of the ruling has sparked further debate about systemic issues within the police force, particularly regarding racial bias and the treatment of young people.
The credibility of the sources reporting on this incident is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of investigative journalism. Both the BBC and The Guardian have covered the story extensively, providing detailed accounts of the misconduct hearing and the implications of the findings (BBC, The Guardian).
Conclusion
The claim that two Metropolitan Police officers were sacked for strip-searching a 15-year-old schoolgirl is True. The misconduct hearing confirmed that their actions constituted gross misconduct, leading to their dismissal. The case has raised significant concerns regarding police practices, particularly in how they handle vulnerable individuals and the potential for racial bias in their operations.
