A Metropolitan Police sergeant who ordered an unwarned strip search of a lady was found guilty of gross misconduct but retained his position.
Dru Hussey, a custody sergeant at Lewisham Police Station in south-east London, ordered the search of a female detainee without informing her.
As she was being searched in the sight of male officers, the woman cried, “Don’t touch me without telling me what you’re doing to me!” according to a panel investigating police misconduct.
In response to the event, on May 9, 2020, the Independent Office of Police Conduct initiated a formal investigation.
During an incident at Lewisham Police Station, seen below, custody sergeant Dru Hussey authorized a strip search of the female subject with a warning.
And on Monday, a panel determined that PS Hussey’s acts constituted gross misconduct, and the officer was issued a final written warning.
PC Samantha Ryan, a second officer participating in the search, was cleared of the allegations.
Superintendent Wayne Matthews, head of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Detention team, stated, ‘These claims stem from a tough scenario in which the woman in question resisted and was detained by police.
Regardless, a strip search is an intrusive power that, given its potential consequences, we must employ responsibly and in accordance with policy. In this case, the panel has determined that Sgt. Hussey did not do so.’
The panel listened to how one of the officers detained the woman on Lewisham High Street on May 9, 2020.
The police detected a cannabis odor emanating from the vehicle.
The motorist was arrested and subsequently convicted for failing to produce a breath sample.
PC Ryan undertook a narcotics search on the female passenger. However, she resisted and a number of cops restrained her, with PC Ryan punching her.
The woman was arrested and sent to the Lewisham police station for obstructing a drug charge. According to the Met Police, she was then stripped naked and her clothing is removed, partially in front of male officers.
PC Samantha Ryan, a second officer participating in the search, was cleared of the allegations. The entryway to New Scotland Yard’s headquarters in London is depicted.
The CPS ultimately dropped charges for hindering a drug charge since nothing was discovered during the search.
However, the woman eventually lodged a formal complaint about her treatment, prompting the Independent Office for Police Conduct to launch a formal investigation, which ruled that the two officers were guilty of gross misconduct.
The panel determined that Sgt. Hussey lawfully authorized the strip search, but did not adhere to policy regarding his participation and control.
While he had adequate information to authorize the strip search, he failed to communicate this to the woman and explain why she would be searched, according to a Met Police spokesperson.
‘He allowed male cops to be there periodically during the search and failed to respect the woman’s dignity and fragility.
Then, he failed to properly document the strip search in the woman’s custody record.
The panel determined that he violated professional conduct rules including commands and instructions, duties and obligations, authority, respect, and courtesy. A final written warning valid for four years was issued to him.
It was alleged that PC Ryan struck the woman with undue force, participated in the strip search without following process, and treated the woman with disrespect and discourtesy.
It was charged that she violated professional rules of conduct on the use of force, orders and instructions, authority, respect, and courtesy.
However, none of these claims were demonstrated