Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley dismissed over lies and fake war medal

A police chief constable, who lied about his career in the navy and wore a fake war medal, has been dismissed without notice and placed on the police barred list.

It is after Nick Adderley, who had been suspended as Chief Constable at Northamptonshire, was officially found to have committed gross misconduct.

Mr Adderley lied about his naval rank, length of service and achievements when applying for his role.

He had also been wearing a Falklands War medal - implying he had served in the war, despite being just 15 in 1982. It was deemed to be "110% fake" by a Ministry of Defence medal expert.

The chair of the misconduct panel Callum Cowx said they found “his audacity to be quite staggering”, that he had lied over many years with “arrogant temerity”.

Mr Cowx, who served in the Royal Navy, the Army and the police, said: “There is ongoing and serious public concern about the vetting of police officers yet here we have someone who slipped under the radar having very obviously lied to get the job.”

Mr Adderley claimed he served in the Royal Navy for 10 years when he had served for only two, and had apparently included his service with the Sea Cadets from the age of 10 in that calculation.

He claimed he had attended the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College for four years, despite his application being rejected.

He claimed to be a “commander or a lieutenant”, but was actually the lowest-ranked seaman during his time in the navy.

He described himself as a "commended officer", but never received anything formal. Mr Adderley later suggested he meant people had told him he had "done a good job", the panel heard.

And he had claimed to have seen active service during his naval career, and had been a military negotiator in Haiti despite never visiting the country.

After questions were raised about his fake Falklands War medal, Mr Adderley claimed it was his brother's.

In a statement that was read out at the misconduct hearing, Mr Adderley apologised and said he "deeply regrets" his actions.

He paid tribute to police officers and said: “Thank you for your support, kindness and inspiring me to push on and be a better leader and colleague. I offer a heartfelt apology.

“Today’s determination showed I have failed you, something I deeply regret. I regret I will no longer be part of your future.

“Please be under no illusion I will be there cheering you on from the sidelines.”

Mr Adderley now has 10 days to appeal, if he wants.

The suspended chief constable previously denied misconduct and acting without integrity, but admitted breaching standards.

Just last month, his barrister had called for the misconduct panel to disqualify itself. He accused the chair of the panel Mr Cowx of having a "closed mind" in relation to Mr Adderley's honesty.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said in response to the panel's decision: “This case has put Northamptonshire Police in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. We now need to set out to restore a reputation for honesty and integrity, which are fundamental values."

She continued: “Failing to uphold these standards is incredibly serious and damaging to public confidence in our police officers who do excellent work, day after day, to keep the public safe."

Acting Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet said: “My focus is squarely on leading a force that earns the trust of the people it serves.

“I am absolutely determined to make sure our officers and staff live up to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. There is no place in policing for anything less.

"The unprecedented nature of what has happened today should not reflect on the dedication and commitment shown by Northamptonshire Police officers and staff."

Tom Herring, a veteran and chair at the South Atlantic Medal Association, said: "It's quite despicable really. Everyone perhaps enhances their job title a little bit, now and again, but he got himself down a blind alley and then couldn't get out.

"And it really is an affront to veterans who hear or see that type of thing and it's good to see that something is actually being done about this person, and he should be ashamed of himself."

Mr Cowx said the panel would give fully formed reasons for their decisions in a written report within five days.

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