BARRY SHAW, BRITAIN'S longest serving chief constable has stepped down with no regrets about a controversial investigation into allegations of misconduct against officers on the force.

Eight officers, including Ray Mallon, the former head of Middlesbrough CID - now the mayor of Middlesbrough - were suspended from duty as a result of the four year long, multi million pound costing Operation Lancet, which ended with no arrests made or charges brought.

He yesterday referred to at times having a "rollercoaster'' ride as chief constable, but said he leaves after ten years at the helm, with no regrets, believing he has done the right things for the right reasons - particularly where Lancet is concerned.

He said that on his appointment he made a pledge to the Police Authority and, shortly afterwards, the rank and file officers that he would fight for the future of the Force.

"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 on the tough streets of Glasgow, where he rose to become Divisional Commander for the city centre, said he promised to deliver the hard policing necessary in many areas of Teesside, but also to see people were treated fairly.

"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 said.

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

Mr Shaw claimed: "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 in tackling a renegade band of officers actively protecting drug dealers to allow them to continue in business.

"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.

Changes he helped spearhead - such as devolved management, wide-ranging partnerships and hi-tech initiatives have put the Force at the forefront of policing, he said.

He added: "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."