BARRY SHAW, Britain's longest-serving chief constable, has retired with no regrets about a controversial investigation into allegations of misconduct against officers in the force.

Eight officers, including Ray Mallon, the former head of Middlesbrough CID - now the Mayor of Middlesbrough - were suspended as a result of the five-year, multi-million pound Operation Lancet, which ended with no arrests or charges brought.

Mr Shaw yesterday said he had sometimes had a rollercoaster ride as chief constable, but said he left after ten years at the helm with no regrets, believing he had done the right things for the right reasons - particularly where Lancet was concerned.

He said that on his appointment, he made a pledge to the Police Authority and his officers that he would fight for the future of the force.

He said: "When I came to Cleveland, it was a time of great change in policing, and one thing I could do was help Cleveland Police become good at managing change."

Mr Shaw, 62, whose policing skills were honed in Glasgow, where he rose to become Divisional Commander for the city centre, said he had promised to deliver the hard policing necessary in many areas of Teesside, but also to see that people were treated fairly.

He said: "It was getting the balance right, on protecting the rights of individuals who might one day be victims, and one day criminals. I also promised to tackle wrong-doing in the force."

He added that the future of the force became centred on Lancet.

He said: "There were many people who sought to stop Lancet and wanted the force disbanded.

"I do not take any satisfaction in what happened, but I have no regrets.

"When we have officers who every day put their physical safety on the line in the fight against crime, they have a right to expect that I will protect them. I have not shirked from my responsibility in looking after my officers."

Mr Shaw said he could look back with considerable satisfaction over his time at Cleveland.

He said that changes he helped spearhead, such as devolved management, partnerships and technological initiatives had put the force at the forefront of policing.

He said: "I take great pride in the innovative work done at street level by the men and women on the beat. They are responsible for a force to be proud of."

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar said he had admiration and great respect for Mr Shaw when he took up his post, but that he later called for the chief constable's resignation.

He said: "Mr Shaw will be remembered for giving the people of Middlesbrough an excellent public servant in Ray Mallon as Mayor. I shall remember him in that spirit."

Referring to the Lancet inquiry, community leader June Goodchild said: "He will be remembered for suspending officers for five years and not one criminal charge."

Mr Mallon, who Mr Shaw last year described as having been at the centre of an empire of evil, made no comment.