Cleveland Police chiefs face disciplinary hearings

Mr Price and Mr Bonnard were arrested in 2011

Two suspended Cleveland Police chiefs will face disciplinary hearings over allegations of misuse of public funds and corporate credit cards.

Chief Constable Sean Price, 55, and his deputy Derek Bonnard, 49, are due to face separate hearings within two months into potential gross misconduct.

Mr Price is facing 11 allegations and Mr Bonnard six, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

The pair were arrested on 3 August last year and deny any wrongdoing.

They were arrested as part of Operation Sacristy which is being led by Warwickshire Police looking at their alleged behaviour.

Warwickshire Police has confirmed Mr Bonnard has since had his bail cancelled and no further action will be taken in respect of any of the offences for which he was arrested.

'Completely unjustified'

In a statement, he said: "My arrest was completely unjustified and the last year has been devastating for me and those that I love.

"I have done nothing wrong and I am extremely disappointed that a decision has been made to continue with the misconduct case, which is based on identical allegations."

Mr Price is still on bail and is under investigation as part of Operation Sacristy.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: "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."

One of the allegations that Mr Price faces is that he used undue influence to get a job for the daughter of Dave McLuckie, his former boss.

Earlier this month Cleveland Police Authority revealed that it was not renewing Mr Price's contract, which is due to end in March 2013.

The authority said it would begin looking for a new chief constable in November.