Former police chief charged with fraud over military service claims
A former police chief has been charged with fraud and abuse of office after being accused of lying about his military service.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Northamptonshire Police’s former chief constable Nick Adderley allegedly made false claims when applying to join the force.
The Crown Prosecution Service added that Adderley was also alleged to have lied about his educational achievements.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS’s Special Crime Section, said: “We have decided to prosecute former Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley for fraud and misconduct in public office.
“This follows an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into allegations relating to Mr Adderley’s military service and educational achievements.
“Our prosecutors worked to determine that there was sufficient evidence to bring this case to trial and that it was in the public interest to pursue criminal prosecution.
“We worked closely with the Independent Office for Police Conduct as they carried out their investigation.”
Adderley will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 10.
The IOPC said the 59-year-old was alleged to have falsely claimed to be a former Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy and to have served in the Falklands War.
The police watchdog said he was also accused of claiming he had the right to wear relevant service medals.
Adderley allegedly committed the crimes between 2018 and 2024; He was allegedly making the allegations on his CV during his bid to become chief constable of Northamptonshire Police in June 2018.
If convicted of fraud, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
If convicted of fraud, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
The former police chief was fired without notice in June; The misconduct hearing was told he wore the South Atlantic Medal (SAM), awarded to British military personnel and civilians who served in the Falklands conflict.
The hearing also heard that when applying to become a chief constable, Adderley claimed on his CV and application form that he had been in the Royal Navy for 10 years, even though he had only served for two years.
The court was told he attended the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College for four years and lied about being a military negotiator in Haiti despite never visiting the country.
