The former police officer who pioneered zero tolerance policing today demanded that his former boss resign.

Ray Mallon, who was yesterday required to step down from his Detective Chief Superintendent's post after admitting 14 disciplinary charges, said Cleveland Police Chief Constable Barry Shaw was "finished".

He also called for the head of Cleveland Police Authority, Coun Ken Walker, to resign from his post.

Mr Mallon claimed the pair had lost the support of the general public.

The call came the day after the former head of Middlesbrough CID handed in his badge to bring to an end a police career stretching more than 28 years.

He was suspended in December 1997 under a police investigation codenamed Operation Lancet.

His suspension came after allegations surfaced which threatened to discredit a previously unblemished policing reputation which in the past had earned him wide-ranging plaudits including the backing of Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Nicknamed Robocop for his tough, uncompromising stance, Mr Mallon's campaign against crime modelled on the US zero tolerance style brought its enemies as well as its supporters which eventually led to him and his team of officers being suspended and questioned for alleged wrongdoing.

All were later cleared of any criminal activity when the Crown Prosecution Service announced in 2000 that no officers would face criminal proceedings.

Mr Mallon tried to resign last year to stand for election as mayor of Middlesbrough but was forced to face disciplinary action.

Despite continually pleading his innocence, Mr Mallon surprised everyone when he pleaded guilty last week to 14 disciplinary charges, saying it was the only way he could fulfil a pledge to people in Middlesbrough to stand for election.

Mr Mallon, finally released from the police force, today told a press conference at the Crathorne Hall Hotel in North Yorkshire: "Mr Shaw should resign. Mr Shaw is finished. Ken Walker should resign as the chief of the police authority. He is finished.

"Neither of them have public confidence at all. As to my reputation, I believe the people of Middlesbrough will be the judge and jury when they vote in the mayoral election in May."

He challenged Messrs Shaw and Walker, along with local MPs Stuart Bell and Frank Cook, to a public debate to tackle claims and counterclaims surrounding Operation Lancet which cost the taxpayers a reputed £8 million.

This could be the first of many sparring matches between both sides over the coming months.

Cleveland Police Authority has planned a meeting for tomorrow at 10am in Middlesbrough's Thistle Hotel in which Coun Walker announced he will talk at length about Operation Lancet.

Mr Mallon has also indicated he has more to say on the matter. He said: "(This) is just the first salvo. I can assure you that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

"I for one would have preferred to have disengaged from Cleveland Police amicably but Cleveland Police ... appear to be hellbent on justifying the police position on Lancet and taking my legs off well I'm still standing."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman today said Chief Constable Barry Shaw would not comment on individual assertions but would be present at tomorrow's meeting. The spokeswoman said: "The Chief Constable will no doubt make factual responses at a meeting of the police authority tomorrow."