Trainee Detective Constable Kristina Linge and PC Rafal Szmydynski have been fired from their roles over conducting a strip-search on a teenager who was on her period. On June 26, the Metropolitan Police released an official statement explaining that the pair had been dismissed without notice for gross misconduct after a disciplinary hearing.
PC Victoria Wray, a third officer, was also involved in the incident, “received a final written warning for two years after misconduct was proven,” as announced by the Metropolitan Police.
The incident unfolded when a 15-year-old girl, referred to as Child Q, was strip-searched on December 3, 2020, by police at her school in Hackney, London, on suspicion of carrying cannabis.
The press release by Metropolitan Police stated, “Two female officers conducted a more thorough search of the girl, that exposed intimate parts, in the medical room at the school.”
However, no narcotics were found on the child. The BBC reported that Child Q was on her period when the strip search took place. In a statement released through Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, she said, “Someone walked into the school, where I was supposed to feel safe, took me away from the people who were supposed to protect me and stripped me n-ked, while on my period.”
“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. But I do know this can’t happen to anyone, ever again.”
Two met police officers guilty of gross misconduct for strip-searching a 15 year old black female child: Child Q
Why has this taken 4 years?
Why is it not racism?
Why is it not a child sexual crime?
Why do met officers think they are above the law?
Why is Rowley still in post? pic.twitter.com/wvaRmB3e9J
— Mac (@Admiral_JKirk) June 26, 2025
According to the report by BBC, the search has been described as humiliating and degrading. Q’s mother said, “Professionals wrongly treated my daughter as an adult and as a criminal and she is a changed person as a result. Was it because of her skin? Her hair? Why her?”
“After waiting more than four years I have come every day to the gross misconduct hearing for answers and although I am relieved that two of the officers have been fired I believe that the Metropolitan Police still has a huge amount of work to do if they are to win back the confidence of Black Londoners.”
BBC further added that Panel chair Cdr Jason Prins described the officers’ actions as “improper and conducted without an appropriate adult.” He added, “The potential effect of a 15-year-old going through puberty had not been considered.”
Two @metpoliceuk officers involved in the search of a 15-year-old Black girl (known as Child Q) at a school in Hackney, east London, have been found to have committed gross misconduct.
Read our full statement:▶️https://t.co/uKVdkiflzY pic.twitter.com/1ZiiYG790y
— Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) (@policeconduct) June 26, 2025
The Metropolitan Police stated that Child Q was not the subject of adultification, nor was she searched based on her race. However, as BBC reported, while her race may not have directly influenced the officers’ actions, it was considered that Black people are more likely to be stopped and strip-searched.
Commander Kevin Southworth apologized on behalf of the Metropolitan Police, saying, “The experience of Child Q should never have happened and was truly regrettable.”
“I am deeply sorry to Child Q and her family for the trauma that we caused her, and the damage this incident caused to the trust and confidence Black communities across London have in our officers.”
