North Yorkshire police boss misconduct charges outlined

Grahame Maxwell (left) and Adam Briggs were both accused of misconduct last month

The police watchdog has outlined the misconduct charges upheld against North Yorkshire's Deputy Chief Constable.

Adam Briggs was accused of helping a relative get a job during a recruitment exercise in February.

The charges were upheld at a misconduct hearing earlier this month.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said Mr Briggs failed to challenge or report improper conduct and acted in a way that could undermine confidence in the police.

Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell is also accused of helping a relative gain employment with the force and is facing a charge of gross misconduct.

The maximum punishment for gross misconduct is dismissal.

The charges faced by both men relate to allegations of helping relatives get through the first stage of a recruitment process.

The disciplinary hearing was recommended following an investigation by the IPCC.

That inquiry started after a jobs drive was held in February, which led to about 200,000 people calling a recruitment hotline to inquire about the 60 posts which were available.

The IPCC said as a result of the misconduct hearing, Mr Briggs was to receive "management advice".

An IPCC spokesman said: "The misconduct meeting went on to express the view that DCC Briggs' responsibility was to ensure a robust and fit recruitment process was put in place and, while he had made great efforts to remedy the situation when it went wrong, he failed in his duty in the first instance."

The watchdog said the meeting found Mr Briggs had not breached the code of conduct in relation to another four matters, including honesty and integrity and abuse of powers and authority.