POLICE CHIEF DENIES SMOKING CANNABIS

The senior policeman in charge of an experimental easing of drugs
laws in south London has denied allegations in a Sunday newspaper
that he smoked cannabis.

The report in the Mail on Sunday alleges that Commander Brian Paddick
smoked the drug and allowed a former partner to smoke cannabis in his
home.

The newspaper carried allegations from James Renolleau that they
shared more than 100 cannabis joints at their London flat.

Scotland Yard said it would not comment until it had studied the
details of the claims, although a spokesman added: "If a senior
police officer was found to be taking illegal substances they would
be on the way to losing their job."

The Metropolitan Police Authority, charged with overseeing the force,
said it would be "assessing the information contained in the
newspaper story and will consider any other material that comes to
light".

A review would then be carried out by Met Commissioner Sir John
Stevens on Monday, an MPA spokeswoman said.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Paddick had admitted Mr Renolleau
had smoked cannabis in front of him, while denying smoking the drug
himself.

It quoted him as saying: "I totally deny having smoked cannabis.

Partner 'Shocked'

"On a couple of occasions James purchased some cannabis while we were
living together and smoked it in front of me."

Mr Renolleau told the newspaper Mr Paddick would become "giggly"
after smoking marijuana.

He said: "I smoked cannabis with Brian more than 100 times.

"The first time he asked to have a puff I was shocked - he was a
policeman after all."

Message Boards

The accusations follows controversy over remarks Mr Paddick posted on
a website about anarchy and drugs.

He was grilled by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens
and Assistant Commissioner Mike Todd over his contributions to
message boards on the www.urban75.com website.

Mr Paddick was applauded for interacting with the local community but
rebuked for some of the language he used, which it was felt could
have undermined his authority.

As well as saying he found the concept of anarchism appealing he made
several comments apparently supporting the legalisation of some drugs.

Harder Drugs

The pilot project he is pioneering in Lambeth means people found with
small quantities of cannabis are let off with a warning rather than
being arrested and cautioned.

Mr Renolleau said he purchased cannabis for UKP20 a bag from a dealer
in Brixton, now in Mr Paddick's patch.

The aim of Mr Paddick's experiment is to concentrate police time and
resources on dealers and harder drugs.

Last week he told BBC News he was "very pleased" with the success of
the scheme and thought it should be allowed to continue.