Chief Constable Nick Adderley Fired for False Claims About Falklands Medal
After a disciplinary hearing, a chief constable who fabricated a series of lies about his military background prior to joining the police has been summarily dismissed.
Nick Adderley, 57, was found guilty of gross misconduct and fired by Northamptonshire Police for lying with “arrogant temerity” about his military service during the disciplinary proceedings. The downfall of Adderley began when he was seen wearing a South Atlantic Medal (SAM), even though he was only 15 during the 1982 Falklands conflict.
He was suspended in October 2023 by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) pending an investigation. The disciplinary panel hearing, led by former British army lawyer Callum Cowx, resulted in his dismissal without notice.
It was revealed during the hearing that Adderley had falsely claimed to have been given the SAM by his brother, who did not arrive in the Falklands until after the conflict had ended. The panel also learned that Adderley had falsely stated his brother was entitled to wear a SAM with a rosette, which he only applied for after the IOPC began investigating him.
Medal Was ‘110 Percent Fake’
An expert from the Ministry of Defence testified that the SAM Adderley wore was completely fake. The panel learned that only a small number of individuals who were present in the Falklands area during the conflict are entitled to wear the SAM with a rosette.
Additionally, Adderley had falsely claimed to have held higher ranks in the Navy, lied about attending a naval college for four years, and fabricated a military mission to Haiti in 1984. The panel found all allegations against him to be true and criticized his audacity and lack of integrity.
In a statement on the police force’s website, Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone expressed respect for the panel’s decision and acknowledged the challenges of the case. Acting Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet emphasized that no police officer is above scrutiny and will be held accountable for their actions.
The panel concluded that Adderley’s dishonesty caused lasting harm to the police service. His application for chief constable in 2018 contained false information about his Navy service, and he was found to have engaged in “stolen valour” by wearing unearned medals. The IOPC has referred a file to the Crown Prosecution Service for potential criminal charges.
In a statement read at the hearing, Adderley expressed regret for his actions and stated that leading the men and women in the police force had been the greatest honor of his life. He offered a heartfelt apology and vowed to continue supporting them in the future.
PA Media contributed to this report.
