Metropolitan Police Commander Ali Dizaei has been sentenced to four years for assaulting and falsely arresting a man in a dispute over £600.
Southwark Crown Court was told Waad Al-Baghdadi was arrested by Dizaei in a row over work on the officer's website.
Dizaei, 47, was convicted of both misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice.
Prosecutor Peter Wright QC said he was guilty of a "wholesale abuse of power" motivated by self-interest and pride.
Dizaei was ordered to spend two years in prison and two years on licence.
Mr Justice Simon said the sentence included a deterrent element "to send a clear message that police officers of whatever rank are not above the law".
