Sean Price, who has been dismissed as chief constable of Cleveland Police, was branded "shameful" by the police watchdog on Friday after being found guilty of gross misconduct.
A disciplinary hearing concluded that Price misled the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) by lying and by trying to get a member of staff to lie for him.
IPCC commissioner Nicholas Long said Price believed his position meant he could order people to do as he wished, adding that his standards have fallen far below what would be expected.
He 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."
In a statement on Friday, Long 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.
"Mr Price appeared to think his position as chief constable gave him the power to order people to do as he wished.
"A chief constable must set the standards for the police force to follow. Sean Price appears to have forgotten this and he set his own standards, which fell far below those that would be expected.
"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."
Cleveland Police Authority has said that, as a result, a further misconduct hearing for Mr Price relating to 11 other matters in respect of gross misconduct will now no longer take place.
He remains on police bail pending further inquiries in relation to Operation Sacristy.
Chair of Cleveland Police Authority Stuart Drummond 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.
"I am pleased that the witnesses in this process have found the courage and strength to make a stand and challenge the most senior person in the force.
"I know that this has been an extremely difficult time for all those involved but they can take comfort from knowing they have done the right thing."