Northants police chief responds to medal-wearing investigation

Nick Adderley is being investigated by the IOPC over claims he misrepresented his military service record and medals

Northamptonshire's chief constable has said a complaint alleging that he has misrepresented his military service has "had a private family impact" on him.

The complaint about the wearing of medals has been referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), which is investigating.

Nick Adderley joined the police service in 1992 following a career in the Royal Navy as a cadet and in regular service.

The IOPC said its inquiry was at an early stage.

The investigation was sparked by a complaint made by a member of the public to the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) Stephen Mold.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: "Stephen Mold received a complaint from a member of the public about Chief Constable Nick Adderley's wearing of medals and military service record.

"The PFCC referred the complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who are investigating.

"The chief constable and Northamptonshire Police look forward to co-operating fully with the investigation, but as this is a live inquiry, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

Northamptonshire's Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold referred a complain against Mr Adderley to the IOPC

The IOPC confirmed that after assessing the referral they started an investigation.

"The allegations relate to concerns about potential misrepresentation of his military service and communications with the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner. Our inquiries are at an early stage," an IOPC spokesman said.

The complaint allegedly relates to a South Atlantic medal awarded to those who served in the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina in 1982, which began when Mr Adderley was aged 15, the Sun reports.

Previously Northamptonshire Police has stated Mr Adderley served in the Falklands War.

In a statement, Mr Adderley said: "It is disappointing that someone has leaked such details about what I deem to be a very personal family issue that I have yet to respond to formally.

"Coming from a military family, I wear all my medals with pride and have always worn the two medals my brothers gave me to wear when one became critically ill and one emigrated, alongside my own."

"When I became aware of this complaint, which has had a private family impact upon me personally, I immediately took advice regarding the protocol and have changed the side of my chest on which these medals are worn."

He said he would be providing the IOPC with a "fulsome" response at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Adderley became chief constable of Northants in August 2018.

He took a short "retirement" of 33 days between January and March 2023 to comply with pension rules for officers.

He returned to lead the force on 1 April for an initial two-and-a-half year term, on a £165,000 a year salary.