The teenager's death prompted an overhaul of police attitudes

Officers found to be racist should usually be sacked, according to the Macpherson inquiry into the black teenager's murder 10 years ago.

But the Police Complaints Authority said this was too sweeping and alleged discrimination should be based on a case-by-case basis.

A PCA spokesman said: "We don't agree with the blanket approach - it's too 'one size fits all'.

It should be made clear to police officers that they cannot get away with it Milena Buyum, of the National Assembly Against Racism

"We agree that in very serious cases of deliberate racial abuse the ultimate sanction of sacking someone should be available.

"But there are occasions when incidents aren't that clear cut."

He went on: "Yes, we are stepping back from the Lawrence report regarding disciplinary action.

Dismissal might not always be merited, he said.

'Unacceptable approach'

Milena Buyum, of the National Assembly Against Racism, called for an immediate rethink on the guidelines.

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"Racism should be treated as a very serious breach of conduct and to dilute the Lawrence recommendation in this way is not acceptable," she said.

"Obviously every case should be treated on its merits.

"But it should be made clear to police officers that they cannot get away with it."

The Macpherson Inquiry followed the murder of the the 18-year-old who was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack by a gang of white youths at a bus stop in Eltham, south east London.

The PCA guidelines say substantiated complaints of racial discrimination may lead to a tribunal but where the racism was "unwitting" disciplinary action should be geared towards changing attitudes or behaviour.

And the penalty should take into account the officer's attitude.

"On some occasions, an officer may be found to have behaved inappropriately but the behaviour may have been fully in line with force practice".

Face-to-face contact

The guidelines also says more work should be done on giving complainants more say in what happens to the officers concerned.

They suggested a complainant have the chance to meet the officer in a conference as this would help change behaviour.

The guidelines have been welcomed by the National Black Police Association, the Police Federation and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

The PCA is to be replaced with a new organisation in April, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which will have its own investigators and the powers to oversee local police investigations into officers' alleged failings.

Of 258 allegations of race discrimination reported to the PCA in 2001-2002, 242 were found to be unsubstantiated.

Six resulted in misconduct charges, two in an admonishment or written warning and four in advice or guidance to the officer.

The remaining four were classed as "others".