Sean Price was found guilty of gross misconduct after he lied about trying to get a job with Cleveland Police for the daughter of a contact, and then tried to bully a member of staff into joining in his cover-up.

He became the first head of a police force in England and Wales to be dismissed without notice for 35 years, even before 18 further charges of misconduct could be considered against him. Other chief constables under investigation have either resigned or taken early retirement.

The 55-year-old also remains on bail as part of a detailed corruption investigation into Cleveland Police Authority, while the service watchdog is looking into claims that he and his wife, who is also a senior officer, failed to report that she had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

But because Mr Price, who was paid £113,317 a year, has already spent 30 years in policing, he will be able to claim his full pension.

His departure was confirmed just a day after another chief constable, Sir Norman Bettison of West Yorkshire, announced he would retire in the wake of allegations about his role in criticising Liverpool fans' behaviour at the Hillsborough disaster.

Several other police chiefs are either under investigation, on temporary contracts or due to retire in the next year, while the leadership of the service will face new battles next month when the first Police and Crime Commissioners are elected.

In a devastating judgment, Nicholas Long of the Independent Police Complaints Commission said: "Sean Price's attempts to mislead the IPCC investigation by lying and putting pressure on a member of staff to lie on his behalf were shameful.

"Mr Price appeared to think his position as chief constable gave him the power to order people to do as he wished.

"He has attempted to intimidate and bully staff under his leadership and mislead an independent investigation.

"He has failed at that - and, most significantly, he has failed the police officers and staff he led, the police service as a whole and the public of Cleveland."

The force's police authority dismissed Mr Price after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty of two counts of professional misconduct on Thursday.

He had asked a member of staff to look into finding a civilian job for the daughter of Dave McLuckie, the former chairman of the authority, but denied he had done so to the IPCC.

He then tried to make the member of staff lie about what had happened.

The IPCC said: "He almost got away with his attempted deception. However the member of staff in question showed great integrity and courage in refusing to be bullied and stood up to him by asking to submit a new witness statement to the IPCC fully explaining Mr Price's role in this matter."

Stuart Drummond, the chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said: "As a police officer, and particularly as a chief constable, Sean Price's behaviour and attitude over this matter was completely unacceptable and the sanction imposed is wholly appropriate.

"His actions have seriously undermined his reputation and his credibility."

But he admitted: "There are 18 other charges of gross misconduct that will not be heard relating to periods going back five or six years."

Stuart Pudney, Cleveland Police Authority chief executive, said Mr Price would not receive a pay-off but confirmed: "He will leave with his pension."

Mr Price said in a statement: "Clearly, I am extremely disappointed with the result today.

"I believe the disciplinary proceedings have, sadly, come to an incorrect conclusion."

He added: "On a personal note, I continue to deny any wrongdoing in this or any other matter."