North Yorkshire Police says its main concern is to reassure candidates that its recruitment process is “fair and transparent”, following an investigation into two senior officers over alleged corruption.

The Guardian reports that chief constable Grahame Maxwell and his deputy, Adam Briggs, face possible suspension over claims they bent rules to get their close relatives jobs as police officers during a recruitment drive that attracted more than 350,000 applicants for 60 posts.

Maxwell and Briggs have been ordered by their police authority to work away from their offices to avoid compromising the integrity of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) inquiry.

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.

“All applicants should rest assured that North Yorkshire Police will continue to publish regular progress updates in respect of this matter on our website and in the local media. There is no need for individual applicants to contact North Yorkshire Police at this time.

“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.

“As the IPCC will I am sure confirm, the investigations will be conducted as searches for the truth and no conclusions will be drawn until all available evidence has been gathered and considered.”