Statement on Child Q disciplinary hearing

In December 2020 a black child at school in Hackney was wrongly suspected of possessing cannabis, the police were called and carried out an intimate strip search without proper authorisation and conducted without an appropriate adult.

Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC),

a police disciplinary panel found this week that two of the police officers involved had committed gross misconduct and have been dismissed. A third officer was found to have committed misconduct.

Meg's statement:

“This was a child at school, subjected to a traumatic and degrading strip search, let down by everyone who should have offered safeguarding. In their own words “I can't go a single day without wanting to scream, shout, cry or just give up. I don't know if I'm going to feel normal again.”

This incident should never have taken place. Not only has it had a terrible and long lasting impact on the young person involved, but other black children and communities in Hackney have experienced fear and trauma as a result. It has taken nearly five years for the investigation and panel to conclude, which is far too long.

An independent safeguarding review found in 2022 that the search was unjustified, and that racism was likely to have been a factor. The police disciplinary panel found it not proven that the officers were motivated by racial or unconscious bias. The Metropolitan Police has stated that the incident was a ‘catalyst for change’ and that processes around stop and search and strip searching have improved. However, we know there is a long way to go to properly address the institutional racism in the organisation, highlighted by Baroness Casey’s review, and to ensure that all communities in Hackney are served by a police force they can trust.”