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Cleveland Police chief Sean Price sacked after inquiry Cleveland Police chief Sean Price sacked after inquiry
(35 minutes later)
The chief constable of Cleveland Police has been sacked after he was found guilty of gross misconduct.The chief constable of Cleveland Police has been sacked after he was found guilty of gross misconduct.
Sean Price becomes the first chief to be dismissed in 35 years, with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) describing his conduct as "shameful".Sean Price becomes the first chief to be dismissed in 35 years, with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) describing his conduct as "shameful".
He was found to have lied about his role in the recruitment of the former police authority chairman's daughter.He was found to have lied about his role in the recruitment of the former police authority chairman's daughter.
Mr Price said he believed the hearing conclusion was "incorrect".Mr Price said he believed the hearing conclusion was "incorrect".
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. The last chief constable to be sacked was Lancashire's Stanley Parr in 1977.
But in recent years a number of chief constables have resigned or retired after facing pressure to step down amid criticism or allegations about their conduct.
On Thursday, West Yorkshire's Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison announced he was to retire in the wake of the Hillsborough report.
The Association of Chief Police Officers' lead on professional standards, chief constable Mike Cunningham, said the overwhelming majority of officers worked "tirelessly to serve their communities with commitment and integrity".
'Failed the public'
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.
It was also found that he then directed the member of staff to lie about the matter.It was also found that he then directed the member of staff to lie about the matter.
'Intimidate and bully'
IPCC commissioner Nicholas Long said Mr Price had "failed the public of Cleveland".IPCC commissioner Nicholas Long said Mr Price had "failed the public of Cleveland".
"Mr Price appeared to think his position as chief constable gave him the power to order people to do as he wished," he added."Mr Price appeared to think his position as chief constable gave him the power to order people to do as he wished," he added.
"He has attempted to intimidate and bully staff under his leadership and mislead an independent investigation.""He has attempted to intimidate and bully staff under his leadership and mislead an independent investigation."
The panel found it not proven that Mr Price had directed that a job be found for the woman.The panel found it not proven that Mr Price had directed that a job be found for the woman.
Cleveland Police Authority said the investigator found no evidence to indicate the woman did anything "untoward or inappropriate" during the process.Cleveland Police Authority said the investigator found no evidence to indicate the woman did anything "untoward or inappropriate" during the process.
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Price, who becomes the first chief constable to be sacked since Lancashire's Stanley Parr in 1977, said he would be discussing the findings with his lawyers. Speaking after the hearing Mr Price said he would be discussing the findings with his lawyers.
"When the judgement 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.""When the judgement 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."
'Wrongful arrest' claims
Mr Price remains on bail as part of Operation Sacristy, a corruption investigation relating to individuals with past and present associations with Cleveland Police Authority.Mr Price remains on bail as part of Operation Sacristy, a corruption investigation relating to individuals with past and present associations with Cleveland Police Authority.
'£100,000 per month'
James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South, said the outcome of the misconduct hearing was a "small piece" of the puzzle.James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South, said the outcome of the misconduct hearing was a "small piece" of the puzzle.
He said: "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," he added.
"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." Tom Blenkinsop, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "The outcome of this hearing is a clear condemnation of the behaviour exercised by those in positions where trust and incorruptibility are of a paramount importance."
Redcar Liberal Democrat MP Ian Swales said residents should be assured the proceedings were not having an impact on policing.Redcar Liberal Democrat MP Ian Swales said residents should be assured the proceedings were not having an impact on policing.
"I now hope that the criminal investigation proceeds to a conclusion as fast as possible and ensures that those who have been alleged to have committed a crime are brought to justice," Mr Swales said. Mr Price was arrested alongside Deputy Chief Constable Derek Bonnard, who has since been released from bail but remains suspended from duty.
Police authority chief executive Stuart Pudney said the misconduct hearing was about "one man" and did not reflect on the force.
Mr Price had 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.
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.
Mr McLuckie was also arrested as part of Operation Sacristy and is on bail until November.
'Undermined credibility''Undermined credibility'
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.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.
Cleveland Police Authority said Mr Price would no longer face a separate misconduct hearing in respect of 11 other matters as he is no longer a police officer and "cannot be subject to the police disciplinary process".Cleveland Police Authority said Mr Price would no longer face a separate misconduct hearing in respect of 11 other matters as he is no longer a police officer and "cannot be subject to the police disciplinary process".
Authority chairman Stuart Drummond said: "As a police officer, and particularly as a chief constable, Sean Price's behaviour and attitude over this matter was completely unacceptable and the sanction imposed is wholly appropriate.Authority chairman Stuart Drummond said: "As a police officer, and particularly as a chief constable, Sean Price's behaviour and attitude over this matter was completely unacceptable and the sanction imposed is wholly appropriate.
"His actions have seriously undermined his reputation and his credibility.""His actions have seriously undermined his reputation and his credibility."
Mr McLuckie was also arrested as part of Operation Sacristy and is on bail until November. The IPCC is also investigating the circumstances of the arrest of Mr Price's wife, Det Ch Insp Heather Eastwood.
She was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in North Yorkshire but it is alleged the couple failed to report the arrest to Cleveland Police.