The teenager, referred to as Child Q, was searched for a strip by female Met officers in 2020 after she mistakenly suspected she was carrying cannabis to her school in east London. The strip search sparked days of protests in Hackney, after it was revealed that the schoolgirl was investigated without the presence of another adult and knowing that she was menstruating. No contact was made with her parents. The Independent Police Behavior Office (IOPC) has confirmed that four Met officers have been alerted to a gross misdemeanor in connection with its ongoing investigation into allegations that Child Q underwent an improper strip search. A spokesman said: “As with all our investigations, we are constantly examining the evidence and the lines of inquiry as the investigation progresses. “In this context, issues were identified that required the delivery of new investigative alerts to officers. “Four police officers have now been informed that they are being investigated for possible violations of the standards of professional conduct of the police at the level of serious misconduct, which does not necessarily mean that they will follow disciplinary procedures. “Any behavioral issues identified and their severity are monitored throughout and can be modified in the light of any evidence gathered by the research team.” The IOPC investigation examines whether laws, policies and procedures were followed during the child investigation. “We are investigating allegations that her mother did not have the opportunity to be present during the investigation and that there was no other suitable adult,” the spokesman said. “We are also examining whether the child’s nationality played a role in the police decision to look for him.” Child Q’s examination was performed without the presence of another adult and knowing that she was menstruating, a protection report was found. A local review of child protection practice by the City & Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership (CHSCP) concluded that strip-search should never have taken place, was unjustified and that racism factor of influence “. Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7 p.m. BST Police said they had received a voluntary referral from the Met on May 6, 2021. Asked why several months had passed between the incident and the police’s referral to the IOPC, the force said: “Information was given to the child’s family to support any allegations they make against the Metropolitan Police. A complaint was then received and referred to the Independent Police Conduct Office in May 2021 for investigation. The girl had previously stated that “she can not stay a day without wanting to scream, shout, cry or just leave them” after the search. During the investigation, the familiar parts of her body were revealed and she was forced to take off her sanitary napkin. No drugs found. Diane Abbott, Labor MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, told the BBC: “I’m glad the IOPC has scaled up the investigation, but the community is very concerned about how long the investigation will take.”
