Cleveland Police Chief Constable Sean Price and Deputy Chief Constable Derek Bonnard to face misconduct hearings

The Independent Police Complaints Commission's managed investigation into conduct allegations against Cleveland Police's Chief Constable, Sean Price, and his deputy, Derek Bonnard has resulted in a decision that both officers will face a misconduct hearing.

The findings from the investigation were passed to Cleveland Police Authority's Professional Standards Sub-Committee, which has responded by recommending both officers have a case to answer for gross misconduct and should face a hearing. The IPCC has agreed with those recommendations.

The decision to put the officers before a hearing relates to an investigation into a range of conduct allegations including matters relating to the misuse of public funds and the misuse of corporate credit cards. It has been decided Chief Constable Price has a case to answer in relation to 11 matters, while DCC Bonnard has a case to answer in relation to six matters.

Arrangements for the future hearings now rest with Cleveland Police Authority.

The conduct investigation was conducted under IPCC management by Keith Bristow, Director General (Designate) of the National Crime Agency. The investigation findings were shared with the Crown Prosecution Service which concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges.

This investigation was separate to the continuing criminal investigation, Operation Sacristy, which is being led by Mr Bristow, into allegations against Mr Price, Mr Bonnard and others with links to Cleveland Police Authority.

The decision in relation to the managed investigation is separate to one previously made by Cleveland Police Authority in early August that Chief Constable Price should face a hearing following the IPCC's independent investigation into an allegation that he used undue influence to have an individual appointed to the force

The IPCC will not be in a position to publish its findings from the investigations until all misconduct matters are concluded.

In addition to the investigations described above, the IPCC has also begun an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a Cleveland Police officer by North Yorkshire Police in April 2011. The officer was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in Northallerton on 4 April 2011. The officer was released subsequently with no further action being taken. The matter was referred to the IPCC by both Cleveland Police and Cleveland Police Authority on 23 May and 28 May 2012 in relation to the officer's conduct, an allegation that she failed to report her arrest to her employers and an allegation that Chief Constable Price was aware of the matter and also failed to report it.

For further information, contact the IPCC press office on 0161 246 8633