North Yorkshire Police Authority announces interim chief

Grahame Maxwell admitted giving a relative an unfair advantage in a police recruitment drive

North Yorkshire Police Authority has announced a temporary replacement for the force's outgoing Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell who retires this year.

Mr Maxwell will leave in May after his request to have his fixed-term contract renewed was rejected by the authority.

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick will temporarily act up as chief.

The government has refused to allow a new permanent chief to be appointed and said this has to be done by the new police commissioner in November.

Jane Kenyon, chairman of the authority, said: "The authority is delighted that Mr Madgwick has agreed to act as chief constable upon Mr Maxwell's retirement.

"He is a talented officer and clearly has the support of the authority and the force and is highly regarded by his senior colleagues and others both within and outside North Yorkshire Police."

Mr Madgwick said: "I am delighted and very honoured to be offered this opportunity to serve the people of North Yorkshire and the City of York as the temporary chief constable of North Yorkshire Police and look forward to taking up the post in the near future."