South Yorkshire Police's chief constable David Crompton has been suspended in the wake of the Hillsborough inquest findings.
Police and crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings said he had no choice but to act "based on the erosion of public trust and confidence".
Mr Crompton's suspension comes after the jury found that 96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed.
On Tuesday, he admitted the force got the policing of the match "catastrophically wrong" and "unequivocally" accepted the inquest jury's conclusions.
Dr Billings said: "I have been left with no choice other than to suspend David from his duties as chief constable of South Yorkshire police.
"I have reached this decision with a heavy heart following discussions with David both in the run-up to and following the delivery of the Hillsborough verdicts.
"My decision is based on the erosion of public trust and confidence referenced in statements and comments in the House of Commons this lunchtime, along with public calls for the chief constable's resignation from a number of quarters."
His announcement came after shadow home secretary Andy Burnham, who has long campaigned for justice for the Hillsborough victims, called for the chief constable's resignation in the House of Commons.
Mr Burnham also called for all those responsible to be held to account for the 96 unlawful deaths and a "27-year cover-up".
Additional reporting by PA
