Top councillor backs contract snub for scandal police chief

York Council’s cabinet member for crime and community safety, Coun Sandy Fraser, said he is “not at all surprised” that North Yorkshire Police’s Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell failed in his bid to have his contract extended.

Mr Maxwell has faced calls for his resignation after admitting a charge of gross misconduct for nepotism, and North Yorkshire Police Authority announced on Wednesday his contract would not be renewed.

Coun Fraser said: “It is vital that the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police has the full support of his staff and local residents so I’m not at all surprised at the police authority’s decision not to renew Mr Maxwell’s contract, given recent controversies.

“I’m confident the police authority will appoint a new chief constable who provides the strong leadership that its dedicated workforce needs and the people its serves deserve.”

Mr Maxwell signed a five-year fixed term as chief constable in 2007, and it is not known for how much longer he was seeking an extension.

But he first became a police officer in 1983 and is not entitled to claim a full pension until he has completed 30 years’ service in 2013.

In May, an independent disciplinary panel handed Mr Maxwell a final written warning after he admitted unfairly helping both a relative of former deputy chief constable Adam Briggs and a relative of his own to circumvent a recruitment process for new police officers.

He would have been sacked if the gross misconduct admission had retained an initial charge he acted without honesty and integrity but NYPA decided to accept a plea on the ground of discreditable conduct only.

Among those who have called for Mr Maxwell to step down is Skipton and Ripon Tory MP Julian Smith. He is writing to the police authority to ensure no perks have been added to Mr Maxwell’s current terms of employment.

North Yorkshire Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, stressed it will continue to “work constructively” with Mr Maxwell for the remainder of his contract.