A suspended police superintendent credited with bringing zero tolerance policing to Britain today began the defence of his career.

Ray Mallon's legal team was locked in legal argument with lawyers acting for his employers, Cleveland Police, who brought a raft of disciplinary charges against him.

Mallon, who earned the nickname Robocop for his uncompromising policing methods, faces 14 disciplinary offences including neglect of duty, discreditable conduct and misconduct to a fellow officer.

Mallon's zero tolerance policing strategy brought large falls in crime in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, making him a favourite with the public and politicians alike.

But in December 1997, he was suspended and accused of alleged criminal activity under the controversial Operation Lancet inquiry into officers trading drugs for confessions.

In February this year, the Crown Prosecution Service announced none of the 400 criminal allegations levelled by Lancet against 60 officers would be proceeded with.

Cleveland Police decided to pursue the internal charges against Mallon despite his having been cleared of criminal wrong-doing.

Mallon tendered his resignation in August after registering his intention to stand for political office as the Mayor of Middlesbrough.

His intention was to campaign for a "yes" vote in the town's October referendum to adopt the system of a directly elected mayor.

As police officers cannot campaign politically, Mallon had to resign before registering himself as a potential mayoral candidate.

But Cleveland Police Chief Constable Barry Shaw refused Mallon's request to leave the post.

If the allegations against the former head of Cleveland CID are upheld, punishments include dismissal from the force, a requirement to resign or reduction in rank.

Chief Constable Mr Shaw told a meeting of Cleveland Police Authority in August that he was not willing to allow Mr Mallon to leave the force.

Mr Shaw said at the time: "To allow Mr Mallon to retire would usurp arrangements put in place by Parliament to ensure officers are accountable for their actions.

"All Cleveland Police officers are accountable to the people they serve and in the public interest it is imperative that disciplinary hearings against all officers are concluded.

"This is the only way in which a line can be drawn under the Lancet inquiry and a more balanced account can be made to the public at large.

"It cannot be in the interests of an individual officer to leave such serious matters unresolved."

The preliminary hearing is expected to last for the rest of this week ahead of a full disciplinary hearing which is scheduled to start on October 15.

The proceedings will be held behind closed doors.

A Cleveland Police spokesman today said: "This is a private matter between employer and employee and we have no comment to make."

Read more about Operation Lancet here.