Police chief's misconduct hearing over military service allegations to be private

A suspended chief constable's misconduct hearing for allegedly misrepresenting his military service will be heard in private.

Nick Adderley, of Northamptonshire Police, faces an accelerated disciplinary hearing following claims he misrepresented his past by wearing a Falklands War campaign medal.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire Stephen Mold announced that the hearing by an independent panel on Wednesday 28 February would take place in private.

The media can submit challenges to the ruling.

In a statement, Mr Mold said: "On 28 February 2024 there will be an accelerated misconduct hearing to consider allegations of gross misconduct against Chief Constable Nick Adderley.

"Following representations made under Regulation 53 (3)(a) and 53 (3)(c) the chair has ruled that the hearing will be in private, and subject to reporting restrictions, until further notice."

The disciplinary process was accelerated after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) produced a report which concluded there is a case to answer for gross misconduct.

The IOPC said it will wait until the end of its criminal investigation before deciding whether to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether crimes were committed.

Mr Adderley was suspended following the allegations made against him and the force has an acting chief constable, Ivan Balhatchet.

In a statement issued last year, Mr Adderley said he had always worn his own medals alongside two medals his brothers gave him to wear when one became critically ill and one moved overseas.

As well as expressing disappointment at what said he were "leaked" details of a "very personal family issue", the suspended police chief said he had changed the side of his chest on which he wore his brothers' medals after seeking advice.

Mr Adderley took over as head of the Northamptonshire force in 2018 after joining the police service in 1992 and serving in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire.

He is reported to have been aged 15 during the Falklands War but has been pictured wearing the South Atlantic Medal at numerous events, including an awards ceremony hosted by his force in December 2022.

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