North Yorkshire Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell has made a personal apology to the county’s residents after receiving a final written warning over allegations he tried to help a relative get on the career ladder.

He admitted “disreputable conduct” during a recruitment drive at North Yorkshire Police.

Mr Maxwell yesterday issued a statement saying: “Over the past 24 hours, I have reflected on the outcome of the hearing into my actions during the recruitment campaign in February last year.

“I would like to reaffirm my deep and sincere apology to the residents of North Yorkshire, my officers and my police staff. The last thing in the world I would want to do is undermine the reputation of North Yorkshire Police.

“I have been Chief Constable for almost four years. North Yorkshire Police has been my life during that time. I am immensely proud to be the Chief Constable and immensely proud of what the people who make up our police force have achieved in that time.

“I want to reassure the public of North Yorkshire that it is very much business as usual. Every day our officers, staff, special constables and volunteers are out there doing an excellent job, dealing with many difficult and challenging situations.”