WIREDGOV

IPCC investigators have served two misconduct notices on officers from North Wales Police as part of an ongoing investigation into complaints about the strip search of a 15 year old boy.

The boy, along with four other youths, was detained and searched by police in Llandudno on 29 May 2012 under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Four of the youths, including the boy, were taken to Llandudno police station where a strip search took place. All four were eventually released without any further action.

The IPCC began an independent investigation after it upheld two appeals from the boy's father who had complained to North Wales Police about his son's treatment.

Interviews with the officers will take place in the near future.

The IPCC investigation is examining the use of police powers during the stopping and subsequent detention of the boy, the procedure followed during the strip search, and whether it complied with code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.

Complaints that the boy's father was not given the opportunity to be present during the strip search, and that no appropriate adult was present are also being investigated.

The IPCC has now determined that a review of the two previous force investigations into the complaints will not form part of the independent investigation. IPCC Commissioner Jan Williams is satisfied that those investigations can be considered as part of the IPCC’s regular oversight work with the North Wales Police professional standards department.