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May 2000
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Met report “Clearing the Decks” examines options for treating less serious crimes, including cannabis possesion, with warnings rather than arrest. Not persued at that point for administrative and resource reasons
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January 2001
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Brian Paddick is appointed as the Borough commander for Lambeth in South London.
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2 July
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Start of the so called ‘Cannabis Trial’ in Lambeth, in which people caught with small amounts of cannabis receive a warning instead of being arrested and eventually prosecuted.
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21 November
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Brian Paddick testifies before the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee looking into current drug laws.
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5 January 2002
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Brian Paddick starts to post on the Brixton board of Urban 75, a non-profit web-ezine.
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19 February
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Commander Paddick faces rebuke over anarchism remarks, taken out of context, on Urban 75.
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17 March
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The Mail on Sunday publishes claims by a former partner of Brian Paddick concerning alleged drugs misdemeanours
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18 March
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Brian Paddick is moved from his post as Borough commander for Lambeth pending an inquiry into claims about his private life.
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19 March
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The Mayor of London, Ken Livingston calls for the reinstatement of police commander Brian Paddick.
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20 March
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New crime statistics indicates a dramatic fall in crime figures in Lambeth
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22 March
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A MORI poll about the ‘Cannabis Trial’ shows a huge public support for the scheme
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24 March
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Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens pledges, that if the charges against Commander Paddick are not proved, he will return to his duties in Lambeth.
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25 March
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Religious leaders from across the spectrum give their support for ousted police chief, Brian Paddick.
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26 March
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More than 300 members of the public cheer Commander Paddick at a public meeting in Brixton organised to launch the campaign for his reinstatement.
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29 March
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The Metropolitan Police Authority starts an official inquiry into whether Commander Brian Paddick committed drugs offences.
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24 April
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Supporters of police chief Brian Paddick are presenting a 5,000-signature petition to Scotland Yard calling for him to be returned to his old job.
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10 July
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Crime statistics for the Trial period to date show increased interventions for cannabis, increased arrests for Class A drugs, street crime down by 49% and burglary down by 18%. Street crime and burglary falling faster in Lambeth than in London overall.
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12 July
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Home Secretary David Blunkett announces the reclassification of cannabis from a class B to class C.
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1 August
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The Metropolitan Police Service formally ends the cannabis trial in Lambeth, introducing warnings on a permanent basis.
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13 September
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A police report into drugs and other allegations against Commander Brian is referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by the investigating officer.
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15 September
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Media carry “Monday – D DAY for Paddick” stories.
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16 September
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Abortive meeting MPA’s disciplinary panel. Headlines, “Paddick to face possible drugs charges”.
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26 September
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Formal report of Met evaluation of, and key learning from, the Cannabis Trial presented to the MPA. Trial declared a success in providing a proportionate and ethical response, whilst saving resources in the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and in the Courts. Claims of drugs tourism and increased use by children refuted.
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9 October
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The Metropolitan police informed the public that Commander Paddick, as a result of a "realignment" of senior posts, will not return to his south London post even if he is cleared of the allegations.
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10 October
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The Crown Prosecution Service announces that Brian Paddick will not face criminal charges over drugs allegations.
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14 October
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MPA disciplinary panel invite Brian Paddick to supply observations on aspects of the investigating officer’s report. Acenture begin their review of the borough command structure.
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14 October
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September crime statistics show Lambeth leading London in falls in street crime.
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14 October
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Public meeting in Lambeth renews calls for Paddick’s reinstatement.
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9 November
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Commissioner Sir John Stevens and MPA Chair Lord Toby Harris address Mayor’s London Conference. Lord Toby asserts that the Met must be seen to reflect the diversity of the city it polices and that it must be seen to be a fair employer. Sir John affirms the Met’s commitment to consulting communities to build trust and confidence. Both vehemently defend the Met’s independence from political interference.
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12 November
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MPA disciplinary panel determine that there will be no disciplinary charges and that the matter is “closed”.
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24 November
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In a letter to lambeth4paddick, Lord Toby abrogates any responsibility for the handling of the affair, describing it as an operational policing issue. He relays Sir John’s “standard response”
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4 December
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The Labour Group on Lambeth Borough Council put down a motion calling for Paddick’s reinstatement.
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6 December
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Brian Paddick accepts that he will not be returning to Lambeth.
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10 December
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Lord Harris (Chair, MPA) indicates that Accenture review will recommend removal of Commander post from Lambeth.
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13 December
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Paddick voted “Greatest South Londoner” in South London Press phone poll.
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17 December
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Paddick’s deputy set to move on.
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