‘Walter Mitty’ police chief suspended after being accused of wearing a Falklands War medal despite being 15 at the time of the conflict ‘worked in a pub when he claimed he was in the Royal Navy’

A suspended police chief facing a “stolen valor” investigation worked in a pub while he says he was serving in the Royal Navy, court records show.

Nick Adderley, 57, said he served for ten years before joining the force in 1992.

But court documents received Sun show, which had an alcohol license from the Hooton Arms pub in Wirral, Merseyside, from 1989 to 1990.

According to contemporaries, he served in the Navy for two years, worked as a truck driver, and sold houses for six years as a civilian.

Adderley, who earns £165,000 a year, was suspended as chief constable of Northamptonshire Police in October after wearing a Falklands War medal despite being just 15 at the time of the conflict.

The complaint was received from a member of the public and the complaint was subsequently referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is now investigating the allegations.

The police chief was seen in the footage displaying the South Atlantic Medal, which was awarded to British servicemen who served in the 1982 war between Britain and Argentina.

Nick Adderley, 57, claimed he served for ten years before joining the force in 1992, but records showed he had a pub liquor license from 1989 to 1990.

The married father-of-two, who was among the Met’s leaders before Sir Mark Rowley became commissioner in 2022, is accused of wearing it at a number of events including the Police Bravery Awards ceremony in July.

Chief Constable Adderley previously said he was “very proud of his cadet and the Royal Navy and Police Service”, adding that he also wears the medals awarded to his brothers, without further elaboration.

“I wear all my medals with pride and always wear the two medals my brothers gave me to wear when one of them became seriously ill and the other emigrated, along with my own.

“Upon learning of this complaint, which has a personal connection to my family, I immediately took advice last week regarding protocol and changed the side of my chest on which these medals are worn.

“I look forward to providing the IOPC with a comprehensive response at the earliest opportunity and I fully understand that they have a job to do.”

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold told BBC Radio Northampton: “This is uncertainty we could do without.” I hope we get something sooner rather than later.”

Mould previously said he believed Adderley’s suspension pending the outcome of the investigation was in the public interest, the interests of the police and the chief constable himself.

He said: “Allegations of misconduct must always be fully and independently investigated so that the public has confidence in the integrity of the police service and the processes that independently hold police to account.

“This independent investigation must now be allowed to run its course and we will not be commenting further on matters relating to the investigation.

“My focus will be on ensuring that Northamptonshire receives the best possible policing service and I know that the officers and staff of Northamptonshire Police will continue to focus, as they do every day, on their mission to continually improve the way we fight crime, the people safe and serving the communities and areas of this county.”

The suspension will be reviewed regularly as the investigation progresses.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said Nick Adderley will be questioned and is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office and fraud.

At the time of the conflict with Argentina in 1982, Adderley was only 15 years old.

Constable Adderley pinned his 1982 campaign medal to his chest, despite only joining the Royal Navy two years later.

An IOPC spokesman previously said: “The Independent Office for Police Conduct is conducting a criminal investigation into the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire over allegations that he potentially misrepresented his military service, both publicly and in communications with the police, the Fire Commissioner and to fight crime.

“We told the chief constable in the criminal complaint letter that we were looking at possible offenses of misconduct in public office and fraud by false representation.

“Following consideration of the information gathered during our investigation, we have also served the Chief Constable with a gross misconduct notice for potential breaches of police professional standards relating to honesty and integrity, orders, instructions and conduct.

“The service of such notice and letter does not mean that any proceedings will necessarily follow.”

“Stolen valor” is a term usually applied to the wearing of military medals or decorations not earned through fraudulent means.

In the UK, it is not an offense to wear medals or decorations that have not been awarded, but it is an offense to wear a military medal without permission, according to a UK Parliament briefing on Stolen Valor.