Ex-Police Federation chair faces misconduct hearing

John Apter led the Police Federation of England and Wales from 2018 until 2021

The former chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales will face gross misconduct proceedings over a claim he touched a woman's bottom without her consent.

John Apter, a former PC who is now retired, was suspended from his federation role and as an officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in 2021.

A criminal inquiry into two claims of sexual assault was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) last year.

He is also alleged to have made a sexually suggestive, demeaning and/or derogatory comment to a federation staff member in 2019 and making another similar comment to colleagues about a member of the public in 2020.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said the three allegations, including that he touched the woman’s bottom in 2021, will be assessed at a hearing from 24 September.

The force said, if proven, the allegations individually and collectively would amount to gross misconduct and that his sacking could have been justified.

In February 2023, the CPS said two previous allegations of sexual assault made in 2021 did not meet its test for a prosecution.

Mr Apter, who had a 30-year police career, chaired Hampshire Police Federation from 2010 and the national federation from 2018.

That represents more than 130,000 officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector.