AFTER more than three years of intensive investigation, 14,000 witness statements being examined, and millions of pounds of public money being spent, there are to be no criminal charges as a result of Operation Lancet.

And that should come as no surprise to anyone, because it has been clear for some time that the horse being flogged was well and truly dead.

It began as an inquiry into allegations that drugs were offered to criminals for information. It turned into a widely-perceived attempt to find something - anything - which could be used as mud to throw at Detective Superintendent Ray Mallon.

Of course, police authority chairman Ken Walker is right when he says it was right to launch the investigation. That has never been the issue.

Not to have instigated an inquiry would, indeed, have been a dereliction of duty on the part of Chief Constable Barry Shaw.

But let us not gloss over the fact that the inquiry has dragged on for far too long, cost far too much public money, and, far too often, appeared to be a shambles.

Ray Mallon has been suspended for more than three years, with allegations of criminal misconduct hanging over his head. Imagine that happening to an employee in any other walk of life.

And now we are left with the prospect of disciplinary hearings, with Mr Shaw - a man being investigated himself over allegations that he was involved in leaking information about Det Chief Supt Mallon to a national newspaper - sitting in judgement.

We are delighted that more than 50 officers have been cleared of being criminals because any other judgement would have been very disturbing indeed for the people of Cleveland.

We have little doubt that there are some bad apples within Cleveland Police, as there are in any other major organisation.

But we believe that the vast majority of police officers in Cleveland are good men and women who are dedicated to protecting the people living in the communities they serve.

Operation Lancet has tarnished the reputation of the force and it will take time to rebuild public confidence. And whether Barry Shaw has acted properly or not, it will surely take a new face at the top to start that rebuilding process.

Operation Lancet may have started as an entirely justified course of action. But it was allowed to grow into a monster.