[1][8] At the age of 40 the youngest DAC in the force's history,[1][8] he was put in charge of support services and policy for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)[9] and less than a year later was transferred to command the East London area.
The special tribunal convened to hear the case, which was chaired by the barrister Jeremy Gompertz advised by HM Inspector of Constabulary James Brownlow,[27][28] cleared him of "conduct incompatible with his rank" in relation to Nadir, but did express concern over his use of a police staff car for trips to the West Country in connection with a police rugby club of which he was president, an overnight stay in Cambridge, a trip to a conference in France, and late accounting for expenses.
[30][31][32] In June 1993, Home Secretary Michael Howard decided to ask the Queen to withdraw Jones's royal warrant, effectively dismissing him.
[33] Jones's supporters believed the decision was political, based on personality clashes with other senior officers and attempts by the conservative 'old guard' to remove a reformer who could have an abrasive manner.
[34] In March 1994, Jones was forcibly detained by a store detective and security guard who accused him of shoplifting chicken breasts, cheese and two bottles of wine worth £24 from a branch of Marks & Spencer on the King's Road near his home in Belgravia, despite having £1,700 in cash on him.