A schoolgirl of African descent who was subjected to a strip search by officers from the Metropolitan Police was warned that she “might face arrest” if she did not cooperate, according to a misconduct hearing.

The individual, referred to as Child Q, underwent a strip search at her Hackney school in east London on December 3, 2020, after her teachers mistakenly believed she was in possession of cannabis.

This procedure involved the 15-year-old removing her clothing, including her underwear, and requiring her to bend over and expose private areas of her body while she was menstruating, the panel was informed.

The officers involved, Trainee Detective Constable Kristina Linge, PC Victoria Wray, and PC Rafal Szmydynski, all of whom held the rank of constable at the time, refute allegations of gross misconduct in their handling of the situation.

During the hearing on Thursday in south-east London, Det Con Linge, who was present for the strip search with PC Wray, reported to the misconduct panel that she had told Child Q that she “might be arrested” if she refused the search. However, she asserted that there was “no threat of arrest.”

Elliot Gold, representing the Independent Office for Police Conduct, inquired: “Would you acknowledge that you were essentially offering Child Q the choice between a strip search or arrest?”

The officer responded, “There were no options presented in that manner.”

Mr. Gold then asked if she recognized that such a statement to a 15-year-old could induce fear. “Yes,” Det Con Linge replied.

The panel also heard that when questioned about her proposed actions in the event she discovered cannabis on Child Q, Det Con Linge stated: “According to the law, a juvenile found with possession must be arrested and taken into custody.”

While Det Con Linge had previously asserted that Child Q had consented to the search, she later admitted during cross-examination by Mr. Gold that this claim was incorrect.

Having joined the Met Police in 2018, Det Con Linge was still in her probationary phase at the time of the incident.

She affirmed that she had undergone equality training, which included topics such as unconscious bias and discriminatory stereotypes, and acknowledged her awareness of stereotypes associated with black individuals.

When asked by the hearing about the significance of the fact that Child Q was being interrogated by two white officers, she stated she did not “see the relevance.”

Mr. Gold probed whether she recognized that “a stereotype concerning black individuals is that they are more likely to be subjected to stops and searches” and if she acknowledged that such individuals are statistically more prone to experiencing “use of force by police.”

Det Con Linge responded negatively to both inquiries.

The 46-year-old conceded that there was no adult present in the room during the search who could have provided support, assisted the child in her communication with the police, or ensured her rights were upheld.

Lastly, she denied that she “failed to recognize Child Q as a minor” and maintained that she was not treating her as an older individual.

The hearing is ongoing.