NORTH Yorkshire’s most senior police officer is being investigated by a watchdog after claims he helped one of his own relatives join the force.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has revealed today it is looking into allegations against the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police Grahame Maxwell, his Deputy Chief Constable Adam Briggs and two other members of the force staff over a recruitment exercise staged last month.

It is alleged that Chief Constable Maxwell gave assistance to one of his own relatives and a relative of Deputy Chief Constable Briggs. It is also alleged that Deputy Chief Constable Briggs gave assistance to those same relatives.

Additionally, and separately, two police staff members are alleged to have used their positions to circumvent the initial phase to benefit themselves and one other person.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: “These allegations are extremely concerning, particularly the aspect involving the Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable.

“As they concern the integrity of the two most senior officers in North Yorkshire Police, it is in the public interest that the IPCC is involved.

“I will therefore ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted.”

The force’s launch of a recruitment hotline hit the headlines when more than 200,000 people tried to get through to apply for 60 jobs. At one point the phone system crashed due to the level of calls.

The IPCC said the police officer recruitment exercise, which ran from February 8 to 12, “encountered technical difficulties on the first two nights with consequent frustrations for many potential applicants”.

The commission said the investigation was being conducted by Chief Constable Mike Cunningham from Staffordshire Police into the claims against the two senior officers.

The inquiry relating to the other two members of staff, who have not been named, will be carried out by North Yorkshire Police’s professional standards department.

North Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Sue Cross said: “In respect of the IPCC investigations, our principal concern is to reassure applicants and the communities we serve that our recruitment process is fair and transparent.

“To that end, North Yorkshire Police is currently conducting a very thorough integrity assurance exercise.

“North Yorkshire Police will fully cooperate with the IPCC investigations into the allegations against members of North Yorkshire Police. Indeed, the Police Authority in conjunction with North Yorkshire Police, made a voluntary referral of the matters to the IPCC at an early stage.”