Authorities plan to examine allegations of an unlawful strip search against a mother, claimed by her, perpetrated by Greater Manchester Police.
A Mom's Belligerent Battle Against Greater Manchester Police Unlawful Strip-Search
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will be launching an investigation into Dannika Stewart's complaint of being unlawfully strip-searched by the Greater Manchester Police (GMP). This follows her distressing ordeal, which was previously spotlighted in one of our website's investigations [1].
Stewart, who found herself entangled in a "lonely, exhausting and distressing" legal quagmire, was arrested and allegedly instructed to strip at Pendleton Police Station back in October 2022. She alleged that she was being penalized for voicing her concerns about police inadequacies related to a crime she had reported [1].
According to Stewart, she was asked to arrive at the police station, only to be confronted with an accusation against her of blackmail. In an unfortunate turn of events, she was subsequently apprehended, told to disrobe completely, and left in a vulnerable state while officers entered and exited her cell multiple times, exploiting their power [1][2].
"It's all about power," she stated. "Because when I left the police station that day, the sergeant on the desk said, 'you need to drop all your complaints against the police'."
The investigation our website conducted sparked a wider discussion about GMP's custody practices, with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham promptly calling for an inquiry [1]. Dame Vera Baird conducted the ensuing evaluation into the allegations of several women, eventually reporting that officers were prone to misusing their power, often unnecessarily and unlawfully [1][3].
In her findings, Dame Vera disclosed that Stewart remained on bail for months, with alleged accusations of blackmail hanging over her head, despite a lack of evidence to support the claims against her [1][2]. Further, Dame Vera expressed her belief that Stewart was bullied, but the strip-search remained a contentious issue, with Stewart being adamant about her account of events [1][2].
Chief Constable Stephen Watson, however, expressed doubt regarding the strip-search incident, admitting that "there is a disputed set of facts" [1]. Unsurprisingly, Stewart's response was withering: "If you are still denying something after an independent investigation, you are in denial, aren't you, as a force?" [1]
Now, the IOPC has decided to delve deeper into Stewart's interactions with the officers during her detention, scrutinizing the methods used during the search [1]. In response, GMP acknowledged their failures and promised full cooperation with the IOPC's investigation [1].
Stewart, however, isn't satisfied with the apology she received in a letter from the police department last year, questioning the sincerity of their remorse after the prolonged struggle to obtain justice [1].
"How is this an adequate or appropriate apology after three to four years fighting and the endless failings?" she query, expressing her disillusionment [1].
In the year following the review, no officers have yet faced disciplinary action concerning Stewart's treatment [1]. As events unfold, stay tuned for further updates.
[1]Source: [Our Website Article][2]Source: [Baird's Report into Allegations by Several Women][3]Source: [What has Greater Manchester Police learned from the Baird Review?][4]Source: [Sky News Investigation]
- The investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will also delve into the larger issue of power misuse by police officers, as Dame Vera Baird's report on Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) custody practices uncovered a tendency for officers to misuse their power, often unnecessarily and unlawfully.
- The incident has sparked debates in the realm of mental health and women's health, with women's health advocates drawing parallels between Dannika Stewart's experience and broader issues around women's safety and justice.
- Meanwhile, the ongoing struggle for justice in this case has also brought attention to the intersection of war and science, as police practices and interrogation techniques are increasingly influenced by advancements in behavioral sciences, raising ethical and civil liberties concerns.
