Updated: THE gross misconduct investigation into the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police cost more than £200,000, North Yorkshire Police Authority (NYPA) has revealed.

The entire investigation into Grahame Maxwell’s conduct racked up costs of £218,456, including £43,929-worth of time spent by people who are already paid by the authority.

Grahame Maxwell admitted advising a member of his extended family and a relative of his former deputy Adam Briggs to bypass the system after the force’s switchboard crashed under pressure from 200,000 callers who were interested in 60 jobs.

Hugh Bayley, York Central MP, said: “With the Government squeezing the police budget so hard, I am appalled that so much has been spent on an internal disciplinary enquiry when it could have gone on front line policing.

“We have to change the way disciplinary cases are dealt with. It is a matter of getting the priorities right, and the top priority is to spend public money on protecting the public from crime.”

Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer, said: “It is hugely disappointing to learn that the cost of the investigation reached a staggering £218,000. While a fulsome investigation was certainly required, I sincerely hope that taxpayers’ money was not simply frittered away.”

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, who had called for Mr Maxwell to resign, said: “Taken with the £100,000 spent by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the amount of money this investigation has cost so far is over a quarter of a million pounds.

“In addition, this is not necessarily the end of the money spent as these figures do not include any money spent by the force itself.

“Had the Chief Constable admitted his guilt late last year, instead of at the very last minute, hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money could have been saved on legal costs. It is deeply regrettable that during challenging financial times, the actions of the county’s leading police officer should have cost the Police Authority so much.”

Mr Maxwell yesterday said he would continue “doing the job I love” and remain as Chief Constable, saying the force had confidence in him.

This was disputed by Mr Smith, who claimed the Chief Constable had lost the trust of both the force and community.

After the issue of his conduct was raised in March 2010, NYPA referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which held an independent investigation between April and October 2010 and referred it back to the NYPA.

Mr Maxwell then unsuccessfully attempted to have the case dismissed, citing alleged procedural flaws. The matter went to the full misconduct board, which scheduled a five-day misconduct hearing starting May 9. On May 4, Mr Maxwell indicated he intended to plead guilty to the charge of gross misconduct on the grounds of discreditable conduct.

Mr Maxwell received a final written warning and has since apologised.