Northamptonshire’s police chief has been suspended amid an investigation into allegations he misrepresented his military service.
It is alleged Chief Constable Nick Adderley sported the South Atlantic Medal, awarded to British military personnel and civilians for service in the 1982 conflict between the UK and Argentina.
Mr Adderley, 57, is accused of wearing it at several events. He would have been 15 years old when the Falklands War began.
Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold said he has been suspended while the Independent Office For Police Conduct (IOPC) investigates the accusations into what it describes as “potential misrepresentation of his military service”.
Mr Mold said: “Allegations of misconduct must always be fully, independently investigated so that the public have confidence in the integrity of the police service and the processes that independently hold policing to account.
“That independent investigation must now be allowed to take its course and we will not be commenting further on matters related to the investigation.”
Mr Adderley joined the police service in 1992 following a 10-year career in the Royal Navy, serving as both a cadet and in the regular service.
He took over as head of the Northamptonshire force in 2018.
In a statement issued on Monday, the IOPC said Mr Adderley was due to be interviewed, had been issued with a gross misconduct notice and is under investigation for potential offences of misconduct in public office and fraud.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “The Independent Office for Police Conduct is criminally investigating [Mr Adderley] over allegations that he has potentially misrepresented his military service, both in public and in communications with the police, fire and crime commissioner.
They added a gross misconduct notice had been served “for potential breaches of police professional standards relating to honesty and integrity, orders, and instructions and conduct”.
At the end of the investigation the IOPC will decide whether or not to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider any potential offence.
Mr Adderley last month said he had always worn his own medals alongside two medals his brothers gave him to wear – when one became critically ill and one moved overseas.
He expressed disappointment at what he said were “leaked” details of a “very personal family issue”.
Mr Adderley added he had changed the side of his chest on which he wore his brothers’ medals after seeking advice.
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“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,” he said in a statement.
“Consequently, I am restricted in what I can say but I have always been keen to respond to such issues directly and openly. Hence it is important that I state for the public record that I am very proud of my Cadet, Royal Navy and Police Service.
“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.
“Having been made aware of this complaint, which has a private family impact upon me personally, I immediately took advice last week regarding the protocol and have changed the side of my chest on which these medals are worn.
“I look forward to providing the IOPC with a fulsome response at the earliest opportunity and I fully appreciate that they have a job to do.”
His suspension will be kept under regular review as the investigation progresses.