A POLICE officer who was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice has resigned from his post ahead of a misconduct investigation.

Chief Inspector Mick Williams, who was told last month he would not be facing criminal charges, had been suspended from his role at Cleveland Police following his arrest last year.

News of the 48-year-old’s suspension emerged after his son, Darryl Williams, pleaded guilty to six offences against five girls between September 2009 and November 2012.

As a result of Chief Inspector Williams' arrest and subsequent resignation, the officer has been barred from working again for the police after being put on the College of Policing’s disapproved register.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “After careful and detailed consideration, Cleveland Police has decided to accept the officer’s resignation, firmly believing that this is the right outcome when taking all available information in to account.

“His timely exit from the organisation prevents further, unnecessary strain on the public purse.

“The officer will be placed on the College of Policing’s disapproved register of officers, which will prevent him working within the police service in the future.”

His 19-year-old son, of Windsor Road, Redcar, wept in the dock at Newcastle Crown Court as he was sentenced to two years and nine months in jail in April.

The charges included three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and one count of sexual assault. Judge John Milford QC said Williams would spend half of his sentence in a young offenders’ institution and the rest on licence. He will be subject to a sex offenders’ prevention order for five years.

The judge said Williams had been "predatory and manipulative"’ and "exploited young and impressionable females". The court heard Williams had returned from working abroad in Turkey to face the charges against him.

The arrest of his police officer father was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who then referred the matter back to Cleveland Police for a local investigation to be carried out.

A 42-year-old man, and a 45-year-old woman were also arrested in November from the Redcar area. Police confirmed the CPS will take no further action against them.

Chief Inspector Williams made the request to resign on May 29.