During a misconduct hearing, we heard how a police chief a Falklands War Medal he did not deserve his military achievements and 'exaggerated' them.
Chief Constable Nick Adderley, of Northamptonshire Policehas been suspended pending an investigation after being accused of exaggerating his Royal Navy rank, seniority and achievements.
He was suspended in a “Walter Mitty” investigation, claiming he was a veteran of the Falklands War, despite being 15 when it started in April 1982.
The 57-year-old claimed to have been a military negotiator in Haiti during the Anti-Duvalier protests in 1986. When questioned by the IOPC, he said he was not actually a military negotiator. He claimed he was merely referring to an academic paper he wrote during the protests.
Mr Adderley denies wrongdoing and acting without integrity. It is alleged he falsely stated he was a Royal Navy officer and attended the Britannia Royal Naval College, despite his application being rejected.
John Beggs KC said Mr Adderley created a legend in terms of the South Atlantic Medal, awarded to troops and civilians during the Falklands War. He said the medal worn by Mr Adderley on several occasions claiming to belong to his brother was “not believed to be a valid medal”.
Mr Beggs said he was wearing medals on the wrong side, adding: 'Wearing the South Atlantic Medal was intended to create a story, a legend, that he was someone who served in the Falklands War. He was never a negotiator. went to Haiti.” He explained to the IOPC that it was an article he had written at the time and that it was poorly worded.
“Could he really have worded something so poorly, or is it more likely that what he did was a military naval legend that wasn't true? academic insights that his article revealed. He was twenty years old when he wrote it, had no tertiary education and no peer review.”
Mr Beggs, acting on behalf of the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said it was not suggested the deception was key to Mr Adderley becoming chief constable in 2018. But Mr Adderley “must not mislead those considering his application”.
Mr Adderley arrived in full uniform for the first day of the three-day hearing. He tried to avoid the press by entering the Northampton Saints Stadium through a side door. Mr Beggs told the panel, chaired by Callum Cowx, that Mr Adderley said he was on active service and had been a commander or lieutenant.
All these claims are “vast exaggerations” and Mr Adderley was only a competent sailor before leaving the Navy after two years of service, not ten years. Mr Beggs claimed the officer had failed to correct a number of media articles and publications reporting untruths in his career.
He said the Falkland Islands claims were deeply offensive as 255 British troops were killed. Mr Adderley admits breaching standards of duties and responsibilities.
The hearing continues.