Three Met cops who strip-searched black girl, 15, GUILTY of misconduct – but are cleared of racially profiling her

Child Q: A Case That Shook Trust in Policing

In East London, the story of a 15-year-old Black schoolgirl — known publicly only as Child Q — continues to echo as one of the most troubling cases of police misconduct in recent memory.

The Incident

During school hours, the girl was pulled out of class after staff believed she smelled of cannabis. A search of her belongings found nothing. Despite this, two Metropolitan Police officers were called in. They took her to a medical room where she was ordered to remove her clothing. She told them she was on her period. Even then, the search went ahead, leaving her exposed and humiliated. Crucially, no appropriate adult was present — a safeguard that should have protected her as a child.

The Hearing

At a recent misconduct hearing, investigators argued that the strip-search was unnecessary, inappropriate, and disproportionate. It was revealed that the officers failed to seek proper authorisation, ignored safeguarding rules, and did not consider her vulnerability. The panel found two officers guilty of gross misconduct and dismissed them without notice. A third officer was found guilty of misconduct and issued a final written warning.

The Harm

The psychological damage to Child Q has been profound. She has spoken of feeling dehumanised, violated, and robbed of her trust in adults meant to protect her. Medical experts describe symptoms of trauma consistent with post-traumatic stress. She did not attend the hearing in person, unable to face the ordeal again.

Beyond One Child

The case sparked outrage across the UK, leading to protests and national debate. Many argue that this was not just a procedural failure but a deeper issue of how Black children are treated — too often seen as older, less innocent, and more suspect than their peers. While the panel did not conclude that race was the defining factor, campaigners say the wider picture cannot be ignored.

What Must Change

The lessons are clear:

• Children must never be strip-searched without an adult present.

• Officers must be trained to understand trauma, vulnerability, and the realities of childhood.

• Schools must reconsider when and why police are called in at all.

• Above all, safeguarding must come before suspicion.

A Lasting Symbol

The name Child Q has become shorthand for a failure of care and accountability. Her story is not only about the mistakes of individual officers, but about systems that allowed this to happen inside a school — a place that should have been safe. The hope now is that her suffering will not be in vain, but will drive reforms strong enough to ensure no child faces such treatment again.