Updated: CHIEF Constable Grahame Maxwell has issued a “sincere apology” after receiving a final written warning for gross misconduct over a police recruitment drive.

Mr Maxwell spoke out for the first time since affair marked his otherwise unblemished 28-year policing career.

Stressing it was “business as usual”, he said: “I would like to reaffirm my deep and sincere apology to the residents of North Yorkshire, my officers and my police staff.”

Mr Maxwell, who resumed his normal duties at the force’s Newby Wiske headquarters yesterday, received a final written warning on Tuesday after admitting “disreputable conduct” in a secret disciplinary hearing.

He faced a misconduct panel after he helped a relative, and a relative of his deputy, gain an advantage in a force-wide recruitment exercise last year.

In a personal statement, he said he wanted to continue the good work the force had enjoyed since he took on the post in 2007.

He said: “Over the past 24 hours I have reflected on the outcome of the hearing into my actions during the recruitment campaign in February last year. The last thing in the world I would want to do is undermine the reputation of North Yorkshire Police.”

He said North Yorkshire Police had been his life during his time as Chief Constable, and that he was “immensely proud” of what had achieved in that time.

“It is very much business as usual. Every day our officers, staff, special constables and volunteers are out there doing an excellent job, dealing with many difficult and challenging situations. “My role now is to continue to lead North Yorkshire Police and work with the members of the Police Authority to deliver the best possible policing service we can.”

He spoke out after Labour MP for York Central, Hugh Bayley called for him to consider his post.

“Grahame Maxwell has done well in reducing crime in North Yorkshire but, after this decision, he should think seriously about his position.”

Coun James Alexander, the leader of City of York Council, said: “I am very surprised and shocked that, at his rank, he remains in office after admitting, publicly, his dishonesty.

“It’s rocked the confidence of North Yorkshire residents and I hope that confidence can be restored.”

The Independent Police Complaints Commissioner (IPCC) and North Yorkshire Police Authority said they were still calculating the cost of the investigation into allegations surrounding Mr Maxwell – with a large sum expected to be for legal advice for the chief and for hiring QC Joanna Greenberg and other legal representatives to sit on the disciplinary hearing.

Julian Sturdy, Conservative MP for York Outer, said: “I think the way Mr Maxwell has behaved has been very poor but we must make sure the reputation of North Yorkshire Police and its hardworking police officers on the beat is not tarnished by what has happened.”