The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) said three other senior officers should receive what it called "formal advice".

The BBC's Reeta Chakrabarti: "Two other officers would have faced charges if still serving"

The officer facing internal charges had been recommended for disciplinary action by the PCA even before the public inquiry into the Stephen Lawrence case began last year. It also said it would have like to recommended charges against four other officers but was unable to do so because they had retired from the service.

After the inquest into Stephen's death in February 1997, his parents formally complained to the PCA about the way the police handled the investigation into their son's death.

The BBC's Reeta Chakrabarti: "Charges are a harsh indictment"

The officer, who has not been named, will appear before a tribunal presided over by two members of the PCA and a member of the Metropolitan Police. If found guilty, the officer could lose his job.

The three other officers will be given a warning for failing to keep adequate notes during the case.

The PCA also said it was disappointed by the lack of first aid carried out by officers at the scene. But it said there was no evidence to show the police consciously discriminated against the Lawrence family and recommended an urgent review of police guidelines on first aid.

Stephen, an 18-year-old student, died after being stabbed near a bus stop in Eltham, south London, in 1993. The fact no-one has been convicted of his murder has led to accusations of racism and corruption in the Metropolitan Police.