Breach of strip-search protocols lands male PC a misconduct rap

A police officer involved in the strip-search of a woman in custody has received a final written warning after allegations of gross misconduct were proven against him.

A misconduct hearing, presented by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, was held for two officers to answer allegations that their conduct breached standards of professional behaviour.

The hearing ended on Tuesday with the panel, led by an independent legally qualified chairman, determining allegations against custody sergeant Dru Hussey proven.

Allegations against the second officer, PC Samantha Ryan, were not proven.

Superintendent Wayne Matthews, of Met Detention, said: “These allegations arose from a difficult situation with the woman involved resisting and restrained by officers.

“Regardless, strip-search is an intrusive power we must use responsibly given the impact it can have, and we must follow procedure. The panel has found Sgt Hussey did not do so in this case.”

On May 9, 2020 Taskforce officers stopped a vehicle driving erratically in Lewisham High Street. They reported a smell of cannabis coming from inside the vehicle.

The driver was arrested, and later convicted, for failing to provide a specimen of breath.

PC Ryan attempted to search the female passenger for drugs. She resisted and was restrained by a number of officers, with PC Ryan striking her. The woman was arrested for obstructing a drugs charge and taken to Lewisham police station.

The woman was strip-searched and her clothes removed, partially in front of male officers.

Nothing was found during the strip-search. Charges for obstructing a drugs charge were later discontinued by the CPS.

The woman subsequently complained about her treatment and the Independent Office for Police Conduct began an investigation.

The investigation concluded that two officers had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

The panel found Sgt Hussey correctly authorised the strip search but did not follow procedure in terms of his participation and oversight.

While he had sufficient information to authorise the strip-search, he failed to communicate this to the woman and explain why she would be searched.

He allowed male officers to be present intermittently throughout the search, and didn’t properly consider the dignity and vulnerability of the woman. He then failed to make a proper record on the woman’s custody record about the strip-search.

The panel found he breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to orders and instructions and duties and responsibilities and authority, respect and courtesy. He received a final written warning valid for four years.

It was alleged PC Ryan used excessive force in striking the woman, took part in the strip-search without following procedure and was disrespectful and discourteous to the woman while dealing with her.

She was alleged to have breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to use of force, orders and instructions and authority, respect and courtesy. None of these matters were proven.

Pictured top: A police vehicle on patrol (Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Paul Townley)