Asked by the BBC whether Dorner's claims would damage the relationship between the force and those it was meant to serve, an LAPD spokeswoman said Beck's decision to re-open the disciplinary case would ensure there was "no misunderstanding between the police and the community".

BBC: Christopher Dorner: What made a police officer kill?

But the subject-line search found an email from the disciplinary board handling the case had been forwarded from a resident dean to two students.

BBC: Harvard University file picture

In the Cleveland case a disciplinary hearing found Mr Price had asked a member of staff to inquire about a job for Dave McLuckie's daughter, then denied doing so when he was investigated by the IPCC.

BBC: Cleveland Police chief Sean Price sacked after inquiry