‘Walter Mitty’ police chief at centre of ‘stolen valour’ probe proudly displays Falklands war medal as he poses with veterans on Remembrance Day – despite being 15 at the time of the conflict
- EXCLUSIVE: Nick Adderley also wore an officers hat on Armistice Day 2019
- He is now being investigated by the IOPC and may face dismissal from the force
The police chief who has been accused of stolen valour after wearing a Falklands War medal despite being just 15 at the time of the conflict flashed it on Remembrance Day as he posed with a group of veteran officers.
Chief Constable Nick Adderley, 57, of Northamptonshire Police, was pictured with the medal and wearing what appears to be a Navy Officer hat on Armistice Day in 2019, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.
It comes as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launches an investigation into the ‘Walter Mitty’ police chief, who was once tipped to take over the Met Police.
Adderley has claimed the medal was given to him by his brother, along with a second awarded for service in Northern Ireland given to him by another sibling – but pictures emerged last week which appeared to show Rick Adderley wearing his Falklands medal after it was supposedly gifted to Nick.
The new photo, which emerged in a Facebook group for current and former officers, shows Adderley grinning broadly as he poses with nine other veteran, all wearing poppies, with the medal pinned to his chest and a Navy officer hat on his head – a position it is claimed he has not held.
Chief Constable Nick Adderley (centre, white hat) is accused of wearing the Falklands medal and an officer’s hat on Remembrance Day in 2019
Adderley, 57, has been previously described in press releases and an interview with online police magazine Police Oracle as a Falklands veteran
The police chief has been previously described in press releases and an interview with online police magazine Police Oracle as a Falklands veteran with ten years of experience in the Navy.
In a letter seen by MailOnline, Adderley is described as having ‘over 10 years’ experience in the Navy, but it has since been claimed he actually spent just two years in the forces and was not, as previously claimed, an officer.
Having enlisted in 1984, he joined the police in 1992, just eight years later.
The Chief Constable has repeatedly posted on X, formerly Twitter, to celebrate the Armed Forces. On Remembrance Day 2022, he wrote: ‘To those who serve, have served and the families who support them, we say thank you.
‘No greater honour than to serve and protect your country.’
As Northamptonshire’s chief constable, he stressed the need for officers to be ‘beyond reproach’.
Following the sentencing of Met Police monster David Carrick, Adderley said: ‘Several months ago, Northamptonshire police set up Operation Admiral, headed by the Deputy Chief Constable, looking at all the current and future processes to ensure we unearth and “out” any officer or member of staff who is not fit to serve the public.
‘Operation Admiral is a further commitment to allow members of the public, members of staff or police officers, to report any behaviour which falls below the standards of professional behaviour; moreover, the standards expected of police officers should be beyond reproach.
‘This is not about a witch-hunt or a breach of process but I, and the many thousands of decent, hardworking police officers and staff, will not tolerate the abhorrent behaviour of some, which tarnishes the whole.
What is stolen valour?
‘Stolen Valour’ is the term commonly applied to the act of wearing military medals or decorations that have not been earned with the intent to deceive.
It is not an offence in the UK for individuals to wear medals or decorations that they were not awarded – but it is an offence to wear a military medal without permission, according to the UK Parliament’s briefing on the subject.
‘It must be reported, investigated and dealt with.’
Questions were first raised around Adderley’s history in the forces after it was revealed he had worn the South Atlantic Medal, given to those who served in the Falklands, despite being just 15 at the outbreak of the conflict.
Chief Constable Adderley said the medal had been given to him by his brother when he emigrated to Australia around 2013.
But last week further photos emerged which showed his brother Rick wearing the South Atlantic Medal in 2020, seven years after it was supposedly gifted to the policeman.
Adderley said that following advice he would begin wearing the two medals gifted to him on the other side of his chest, as is often done by those who have lost a loved one in the forces.
It is understood Adderley actually enlisted in the Navy in 1984 aged 18, two years after the Falklands War ended, but was in the cadets since the age of 15.
He has repeatedly been described by his force as having more than 10 years experience in the Navy – but joined in 1992, eight years after enlisting.
It is now said he actually only served in the Navy for two years, leaving in 1984, and that he served as a sailor and not an officer.
A photo from 2020 appears to show brother Rick wearing his Falklands medal – despite Adderley claiming he was given it in 2013
Adderley has worn the medal to multiple events over the years since his brother’s emigration
But an article on Police Oracle repeated the claims: ‘He is as enthusiastic now about policing as when he joined Cheshire Constabulary in 1992 after being in the Royal Navy for ten years, during which time he served in the Falklands War.’
Veterans have since called for Adderley to be sacked from his role over the ‘disgusting’ allegations.
READ MORE: ‘Walter Mitty’ police chief is accused of being a ‘complete fraud’ as new photo ‘contradicts his excuse for wearing Falklands War medal despite being 15 at the time of conflict’
Tom Herring, chairman of the South Atlantic Medal Association, told MailOnline that Adderley must have been aware of the rules around service medals, and the tradition of wearing medals of loved ones on the opposite side of the chest.
He said: ‘He should have known better. Everyone in the armed forces knows campaign medals awarded to someone else should not be worn on the left–hand side.’
The £165,000-per-year police chief said he is ‘very proud of his Cadet, Royal Navy and Police Service’ and that he also wears medals awarded to his brothers.
‘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.’
The police watchdog is looking into allegations of misrepresentation of his military service. The probe could lead to him being hauled in front of a misconduct hearing.
Chief Constable Adderley has been contacted for comment.
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