Police chief faces vote censure for misconduct

North Yorkshire Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell was allowed to keep his job in May after he admitted gross misconduct over claims he unfairly helped a relative during an officer recruitment exercise.

But his position will come under more scrutiny next week at the first full meeting of North Yorkshire Council to be held since the total cost of the case to the taxpayer became known.

More than half of the £300,000 bill could have been saved if the matter had ended last October, when it was first ruled that Mr Maxwell had a case to answer.

County councillors will vote on a motion which reads: “Following the Chief Constable’s admission of gross misconduct, and the significant expense to the public purse of the enquiry resulting from his failure to admit the gross misconduct at an early stage, that this council no longer has confidence in Mr Maxwell as Chief Constable.”

The council’s members include Jane Kenyon, the chairman of North Yorkshire Police Authority, who has publicly supported Mr Maxwell’s decision not to resign.

The motion has been tabled by Liberal Democrat group leader Geoff Webber and is due to be seconded by his party colleague, Stuart Parsons.

Coun Webber said he expected some members of other parties to also vote in favour.

“There is a general feeling of disgust that Mr Maxwell, apart from receiving a slapped hand, has got off scot free. Most of my working life has been in the RAF, where people who get done for gross misconduct lose their job and lose their pension. Mr Maxwell should have done the honourable thing.

“The case cost £300,000 and at the same time the Chief Constable has been reducing police posts and reducing the opening hours at police stations.”

Mr Maxwell and the police authority declined to comment.