A CHIEF constable who received a final written warning after admitting gross misconduct during a force recruitment exercise has vowed to carry on, saying it is "business as usual".

Grahame Maxwell, of North Yorkshire Police, was sanctioned after helping a relative circumvent the process in February last year.

In a statement, released today, Mr Maxwell said: "Over the past 24 hours I have reflected on the outcome of the hearing into my actions during the recruitment campaign.

"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."

Mr Maxwell, who was strongly criticised in the wake of the hearing and has faced calls to resign, said he was "immensely proud" to be chief constable.

He said: "I have been chief constable for almost four years.

"North Yorkshire Police has been my life during that time.

"I want to reassure the public 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."

Yesterday, Mr Maxwell narrowly avoided becoming the first chief constable to be sacked in more than 30 years for helping a relative gain an unfair advantage in a police recruitment drive.

A damning report accused him of having an unacceptable attitude, trying to discredit the investigation and letting down his force.

Last night Julian Smith, the MP for Skipton and Ripon, said Mr Maxwell should resign.

He said: “To have admitted gross misconduct means, I believe, he has lost the trust of the people he seeks to protect.”

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into his conduct, and that of his former deputy, Adam Briggs, concluded the reputation of both men had been “seriously undermined”.

Mr Maxwell, 50, admitted gross misconduct, on the grounds of discreditable conduct, on Monday at a behind-closed-doors disciplinary panel convened by North Yorkshire Police Authority.

IPCC commissioner Nicholas Long said the incident was a “significant low point” in the careers of both senior officers.

North Yorkshire Police Authority said it “accepts and respects” the panel’s decision and criticised Mr Maxwell for failing to admit his guilt earlier.

Lawyers for Mr Maxwell said he was “sincerely sorry and saddened”

that he had made errors of judgement.