MORE than £20,000 was spent on recruiting the county's two top cops - but police chiefs say the money was well spent.

The figures, which reveal the significant cost of selecting a new Chief and Deputy Chief Constable for North Yorkshire Police, were released in a report to be discussed by the Police Authority on Monday.

Recruitment for the two posts, which were filled by Grahame Maxwell, as Chief Constable, and Adam Briggs, as Deputy Chief Constable, involved a rigorous two-day selection process.

Figures show how hotel accommodation and meals for the candidates during these days cost the taxpayer £9,468.

But in the report, the Police Authority clerk, Jeremy Holderness, said the process had been "cost effective".

He said: "In broad terms the costs of recruiting the two most senior police officers in North Yorkshire Police represent ten per cent of their joint remuneration.

"This compares very favourably with fees charged by private companies to recruit similar executive levels. "Selection over two days was felt to be beneficial as candidates had a good opportunity to display the required skills and attributes and settle into the process."

He confirmed recruitment had followed Home Office guidance, and said the candidates had been put through a range of media exercises and interviews, as well as being asked to give a presentation. He said an external advisor and senior officers from partner organisations, such as Victim Support, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, had sat alongside members of the Police Authority on the interview panels.

Coun Ruth Potter, who represents the City of York Council on the Police Authority, said: "The cost might seem surprising, but unfortunately this is the norm when you are recruiting at such a senior level.

"But I hope that it will be money well spent and as a police authority we will be monitoring the two new recruits to see whether they are bringing value to the force in terms of reducing crime across North Yorkshire."

Mr Maxwell took over from Della Cannings as Chief Constable in May.

He came to the force from South Yorkshire Police, where he held the post of deputy chief constable.

His deputy, Mr Briggs, joined the force in June to take over from Ian McPherson, who left last year to become Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary. He arrived from Cleveland Police, where he held the post of assistant chief constable.