A SENIOR police officer embroiled in a series of controversies has announced his sudden retirement.

North Yorkshire Police Authority confirmed last night it had agreed to a request from Adam Briggs, the force’s deputy chief constable, to retire on Sunday.

Last week, Mr Briggs appeared to criticise the police authority when he questioned why time and resources had been used investigating whether or not he had followed correct procedures when he hired a private firm specialising in executive leadership coaching, in November 2007.

Over the following two years, Mr Briggs received services from the company, which were billed to the force, at a cost of £10,000 plus VAT.

The police authority found that Mr Briggs did not seek approval from his line manager, Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell, before booking the training, and wrote to him about the issue.

In December last year, he clashed with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) after a police authority hearing into claims that senior officers helped family members during a recruitment drive last February.

Mr Briggs said he had been cleared of five of the six charges against him, and it was initially reported that he was only guilty of one charge of misconduct – that he failed to challenge Mr Maxwell when he should have done.

The IPCC then revealed that a charge of discreditable conduct had also been upheld, namely that he acted “in a manner likely to bring discredit upon and undermine public confidence in the police service”.

Mr Briggs said he was surprised at the revelation, and did not accept the finding.

Mr Maxwell faces a more serious charge relating to the same incident.

Last night, North Yorkshire county councillor John Blackie said it was difficult not to believe these issues were partly to blame for Mr Briggs’ sudden decision to retire.

He said: “It is hard not to look back to the allegations of last year when looking at his decision to leave the force so quickly.”

Mr Briggs, who joined North Yorkshire Police in June 2007, said in a statement last night: “I am fortunate to have enjoyed a great career with the police service and I wish to express my respect to the men and women whom I have so enjoyed serving with.

“They deliver an excellent service, whatever the weather, the challenges and threats they face. I am proud to have served with them.”

Police authority chairman, Jane Kenyon said: “Adam Briggs has been a fine police officer during his 31 years’ service.

His contribution has been respected and valued by the communities he has served in Cleveland, West and North Yorkshire.

“We wish him well in his retirement.”