Met Police officer warned over woman's strip-search

The woman was strip-searched at Lewisham Police Station

A Metropolitan Police officer found guilty of gross misconduct relating to the strip-search of a woman in custody has been given a final written warning.

The woman was arrested for obstructing a drugs search and assaulting police, and was taken to Lewisham Police Station in south-east London, where she was strip-searched on 9 May 2020.

A hearing on Tuesday found Sgt Dru Hussey committed gross misconduct for the way he authorised the search.

The warning is active for four years.

During the strip-search, the woman's clothes were removed, partially in front of male officers.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated after video footage of the woman's arrest was widely shared on social media and she made a formal complaint.

The misconduct hearing, presented by the IOPC, also found Sgt Hussey did not comply with legal requirements and force policy.

Misconduct allegations against a second officer, PC Samantha Ryan, were not proven.

It had been alleged PC Ryan used excessive force for 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, but none were proven.

The woman was arrested when officers stopped a vehicle in which she was a passenger, believing it to be driving erratically.

Charge discontinued

The driver was arrested and the woman was detained for a drugs search, with force used when the woman resisted. She was taken to the ground, arrested, and taken into custody.

Nothing was found during the search and a charge of obstructing a drug search was later discontinued.

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

The IOPC asked the Met Police to hold the misconduct hearings for Sgt Hussey and PC Ryan, but the force disagreed that the pair had cases to answer.

The watchdog then carried out its own investigation.

IOPC Findings

The IOPC concluded Sgt Hussey failed to inform the woman she was to be strip-searched, or say why or how it would be conducted.

Male officers, including Sgt Hussey, were present during the initial part of the strip-search and intermittently throughout.

The search was conducted in a cell equipped with CCTV and no effort was made by Sgt Hussey to inform the woman of this or seek her cooperation with the search.

In doing so, the panel found Sgt Hussey failed to respect the woman's dignity as an individual or human being. It was noted the woman was in a lonely and vulnerable place and Sgt Hussey failed to protect and safeguard her rights.

The panel also concluded that Sgt Hussey did not make an adequate entry on the custody record setting out his rationale for the strip-search.

It was determined Sgt Hussey breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, orders and instructions, and duties and responsibilities.

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said that people in police custody are entitled to be treated with respect and courtesy.

"Our investigation found the way the strip-search was conducted appeared to have failed to comply with the law, police policy and could be perceived as degrading.

"This incident was highly distressing for her and undermines wider public confidence in the Metropolitan Police Service.

"The independent panel has rightly found that Sgt Hussey failed in his responsibilities to safeguard her welfare, protect her legal rights and ensure she was treated with dignity and respect."

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