Discipline regulations may need to be reconsidered says Met Commissioner

A change to regulations which allow an officer to retain his title while in prison should be considered, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Sir Paul Stephenson has said.

His comments follow the four-year sentence given to Commander Ali Dizaei after being found guilty of misconduct and perverting the course of justice.

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has said it is fast-tracking Mr Dizaei’s disciplinary case but it could still be several weeks before the process gets underway, during which time Mr Dizaei retains his title of commander.

Giving a statement Sir Paul said: “Members of the public would find it somewhat odd that a man convicted of an offence and sits in a prison cell still holds the office of constable.

“There might be a case for looking again at those regulations.”