THE first officer is to return to work after being suspended because of the controversial Operation Lancet inquiry into Cleveland Police.

Detective Constable David Laing was one of eight officers - including Detective Superintendent Ray Mallon, the former head of Middlesbrough CID - suspended more than three years ago following allegations of corruption and malpractice.

Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that none of the officers would face criminal charges. But they remained suspended until the force decided on disciplinary action.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "An officer suspended from duty in January 1998 as part of the Operation Lancet investigation is returning to work on non-operational duties.

"Assistant Chief Constable Della Cannings took the decision as part of the continuing process of reviewing the files of all suspended officers.

"Although the Crown Prosecution Service has ruled that there should be no criminal prosecutions, disciplinary matters remain.

"The decision to return the officer to duty was taken following an assessment about the extent of disciplinary matters he still faces.

"Reviews of the files affecting seven other officers in the force are ongoing."

Meanwhile, it has been announced that Det Supt Mallon will be taking part in a series of public meetings in Middlesbrough and east Cleveland, discussing positive policing and zero tolerance for street crime.

Mr Mallon will join Teesside MP Ashok Kumar for the meetings.

They will take place at Brackenhoe School, Middlesbrough, on Thursday, Prior Pursglove Lecture Theatre, Guisborough, next Thursday, April 5, and De Brus School, Skelton, the following Thursday, April 12. All the meetings start at 7.30pm.