Final Report of the Morris Inquiry: The Case for Change

THE CASE FOR CHANGE
10.43 In essence the MPS has argued that a Gold Group was formed in this case
because “the investigation of a senior police officer, regardless of race or gender, has the
potential for a significant impact on a community”. We do not agree that the seniority of
the officer concerned, in itself, would necessarily lead to a significant impact on a
community, although we can see that Superintendent Dizaei’s race may well have
been an issue.
10.44 From the evidence we have considered, we can see that there was a point in
the investigation into Superintendent Dizaei when a Gold Group could have been
established appropriately, to advise on the possible impact on the community of
the arrest of such a senior and high profile minority ethnic officer.
10.45 However, our concern is the involvement of the Gold Group in the strategic
management of the investigation, which is the role of senior officers in DPS.
10.46 Under the current disciplinary system as operated by the MPS, investigations
into the alleged misconduct of an officer below ACPO rank are the responsibility of
DPS. The MPS argues that a Gold Group is formed to strengthen decision-making
and accountability. In our view, the use of a Gold Group in this case only served to
blur the lines of decision-making and accountability.
Policy File / Decision Log
10.47 We have already noted our concern about the failure of DPS always to
maintain a proper written record of decisions made during the course of an
investigation. For Operation Helios, a policy file was maintained but, as our
investigators highlighted, it failed to document key decisions:
“The decision not to inform [Superintendent Dizaei] is outlined in decision log 1 on 29
January 2000 and reviewed at decision log 18 on 14 February 2000 and again at log 20 on
28 February 2000. In each case the reason not to do so relates to there being an ongoing
criminal investigation, which was likely to be jeopardised should Superintendent Dizaei have
become aware of its existence. The policy log fails to go into any detail as to how it is thought
he would place the investigation in jeopardy. …
“With regard to the arrest of Superintendent Dizaei in May 2001 the review has had sight of
an MPS document headed ‘Operational Strategy’. This document is undated, but it has clearly
been prepared around the time that the operation was moving from the covert to overt
stage. Contained within this document is a paragraph, which reads,‘Mozart [code name for
Superintendent Dizaei] will not be arrested at this stage, the evidence to justify doing so is weak’.
No further record or Decision Log entry has been made by the SIO to justify a change of stance
when in fact the evidence against him was no stronger.” (Independent investigators’ report.)
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