Ali Dizaei's corruption retrial was the latest chapter in a 26 year police career fraught with drama.
1986
Dizaei joins Thames Valley Police.
1999
- March
The officer transfers to the Metropolitan Police and is promoted to superintendent.
- November
Dizaei, now based in Kensington, gives a speech at the first conference of the National Black Police Association. He says police aptitude tests are "culturally biased". Dizaei says ethnic minority officers "need a piece of the success cake and not the crumbs".
2000
Officers working in secret under the codename Operation Helios begins to examine Dizaei. They fail to find evidence to substantiate claims Dizaei used prostitutes and spied for Iran.
- September
The first reports emerge that Dizaei's BMW car has been vandalised. The attack is linked to a racist hate campaign against ethnic minority officers.
2001
- January
Dizaei is suspended over "a number of disciplinary and criminal issues" including dishonesty, attempting to pervert the course of justice, personal conduct and integrity.
- April
Dizaei announces he will take the Met to an employment tribunal alleging discrimination over his promotion prospects.
- December
Dizaei is charged with perverting the course of justice, misconduct in a public office and eight counts of false accounting.
The officer is accused of lying about the location of his car when its paintwork was scratched. This wasted police time because it led investigators to believe other officers were involved. He is also accused of submitting eight overstated travel expenses claims in 1999 for a total sum of nearly £2,400.
2003
- April
Dizaei goes on trial at the Old Bailey. He is acquitted.
- September
A second criminal trial of Dizaei, relating to mileage expenses claims, is dropped at the last moment when prosecutors offer no evidence.
- November
A police misconduct report finds nine matters against Dizaei could be proved. But a secret deal is brokered between the senior officer and the force which means he will not face punishment. This is strongly criticised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). He later receives around £60,000 in compensation.
2004
- May
Dizaei is given a temporary promotion to chief superintendent.
- June
The IPCC rules Helios was deeply flawed and mishandled from start to finish. Officials say Dizaei should not face disciplinary action, but also should not be promoted for 12 months.
2006
- June
Dizaei speaks out after a botched terror raid on the home of two Asian brothers in Forest Gate, east London. He calls for more rigorous analysis of intelligence.
- August
Dizaei claims the profiling of air passengers could create an offence of "travelling whilst Asian". The Police Federation accuses him of inflaming moderate Muslim opinion and sensationalism.
- December
It emerges the Met tapped Dizaei's phone calls on the force's internal phone network during Helios as the interception is ruled unlawful by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
2007
- March 12
Dizaei's book Not One Of Us is published. Scotland Yard says it is "a matter of regret" that the book was written.
- June 5
Commissioner Sir Ian Blair apologises for the damage the Helios inquiry caused to relations with black officers. The Black Police Association also agrees to move on.
2008
- June
The Metropolitan Police Authority orders an inquiry over claims Dizaei failed to repay money he spent on a police American Express card and not keeping receipts.
It is alleged he spent more than £5,000 on clothes and perfume while on a trip to the United States.
- July 18
Dizaei goes to the Persian Yas restaurant in High Street Kensington, west London, with his wife after attending a Scotland Yard ceremony. He arrests Iraqi web designer Waad al-Baghdadi in the street.
- September 12
Dizaei is suspended by the Metropolitan Police Authority's professional standards sub-committee. It emerges he is the subject of three inquiries. They focus on the use of his company credit card, the Yas incident and claims he gave inappropriate advice to a defence solicitor representing a woman involved in a fatal hit and run.
- Sept 19
Members of the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MetBPA) say they have no confidence in top officers. They say colleagues are "appalled" at the suspension of Dizaei whom they believe is the victim of a "sustained witch-hunt".
- December 17
Dizaei files a claim of racial discrimination against the Metropolitan Police and accuses former commissioner Sir Ian Blair and MPA chief executive Catherine Crawford of colluding to suspend him.
2009
- May 21
Dizaei attends Bishopsgate police station to be charged with misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice over the clash at Yas restaurant. The allegations follow an investigation by the IPCC.
- September 24
Substantial damages are paid to Dizaei over false claims he is a bigamist.
- November 20
Dizaei is cleared of misusing his corporate credit card by an inquiry led by Dorset Chief Constable Martin Baker. It finds no evidence he acted dishonestly or without integrity.
- December 28
A Sunday newspaper pays compensation to Dizaei over false claims of security breaches involving an illegal immigrant.
2010
- February 8
Dizaei is found guilty of misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice after a trial. He is later jailed for four years.
- March 31
Dizaei is kicked out of policing.
2011
- May 16
Dizaei wins an appeal against his conviction after a court rules it was "unsafe".
- September 29
Scotland Yard reinstates Dizaei after a police appeal tribunal ruled in his favour.
- September 30
Dizaei is suspended on full pay pending the end of his retrial.
2012
- January 12
Retrial begins at Southwark Crown Court.
- February 13
Dizaei is convicted on both counts and faces a return to jail.