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Cleveland Police chief Sean Price guilty of gross misconduct Cleveland Police chief Sean Price sacked after probe
(35 minutes later)
The chief constable of Cleveland Police has been sacked after he was found guilty of gross misconduct, the BBC understands.The chief constable of Cleveland Police has been sacked after he was found guilty of gross misconduct, the BBC understands.
Sean Price faced allegations about his role in the recruitment of the former police authority chairman's daughter.Sean Price faced allegations about his role in the recruitment of the former police authority chairman's daughter.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will make a statement later. An Independent Police Complaints Commission hearing finished on Thursday.
Mr Price remains on bail as part of a wider criminal investigation into alleged corruption at the force. In a statement, Mr Price said he was "extremely disappointed with the result".
The IPCC hearing into claims he used "undue influence" during the appointment of Dave McLuckie's daughter was held in private.The IPCC hearing into claims he used "undue influence" during the appointment of Dave McLuckie's daughter was held in private.
Mr Price, who was appointed to lead the force in 2003, has been on bail since his arrest in August 2011. Corruption probe
Operation Sacristy, the corruption probe relating to individuals with past and present associations to Cleveland Police Authority, continues. At its conclusion Mr Price, who becomes the first chief constable to be sacked in 35 years, said: "I believe the disciplinary proceedings have sadly come to an incorrect conclusion.
"When the judgment was delivered and I was offered the chance to put forward mitigation I declined - the panel was mistaken in their finding and I could not seek to argue for a lesser punishment for something I haven't done.
"I will therefore be discussing with my lawyers over the next few days how this can be addressed."
Mr Price, who was appointed to lead the force in 2003, remains on bail as part of Operation Sacristy, a corruption probe relating to individuals with past and present associations to Cleveland Police Authority.
'£100,000 per month'
James Wharton, the Conservative MP for Stockton South, said the outcome of the misconduct hearing was a "small piece" of the puzzle.James Wharton, the Conservative MP for Stockton South, said the outcome of the misconduct hearing was a "small piece" of the puzzle.
He said: "It gives an opportunity for Cleveland Police to draw a line under this operationally, and to resolve the issue of having its chief constable suspended for over a year now." He said: "The sooner Cleveland Police can move forward and put this behind them the better, but that will be difficult with the criminal investigation on-going.
"Whilst I understand it is unlikely Mr Price will face any criminal prosecution Sacristy is about far more than one man.
"The criminal investigation must be allowed to run its course but with an expected end date well into 2014 and at a cost of over £100,000 per month the sooner it is concluded the better."
Mr Price has been suspended since his arrest and Cleveland Police Authority recently announced his contract would not be renewed when it expires in March 2013.Mr Price has been suspended since his arrest and Cleveland Police Authority recently announced his contract would not be renewed when it expires in March 2013.
He was arrested alongside deputy chief constable Derek Bonnard.He was arrested alongside deputy chief constable Derek Bonnard.
Mr Bonnard has now been released from bail but remains suspended from duty.Mr Bonnard has now been released from bail but remains suspended from duty.
Both officers have denied any wrongdoing and have made legal claims for wrongful arrest.Both officers have denied any wrongdoing and have made legal claims for wrongful arrest.
After the misconduct hearing Mr Price said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had investigated the same allegations relating to Mr McLuckie's daughter's recruitment and had found there was no case to answer.
He said: "Whilst the burden of proof at misconduct hearings is of a lower standard I am still perplexed as to why a misconduct panel could have found against me in the light of the evidence presented and the obvious hurdles that were placed in the way of me being able to lay the full facts of this case before the panel."
Mr McLuckie was also arrested as part of the investigation and is on bail until November.Mr McLuckie was also arrested as part of the investigation and is on bail until November.