[Correction] Friday extra: Regrets from disgraced chief constable
Some more from Nick Adderley's disciplinary hearing today, including his reflections on his police service in his own words
By Sarah Ward and Nadia Lincoln, local democracy reporter
In the first version of this article we incorrectly said that Nick Adderley had not apologised in his statement. This has now been corrected and you can read his full statement at the bottom of this article).
This morning Nick Adderley was sacked as Northamptonshire’s chief constable after he was found guilty of having lied on his CV and misrepresenting his military career.
On handing down his decision chair of the disciplinary panel Callum Cowx said the evidence against Adderley was overwhelming. (Read our earlier Friday brief for more detail).
He said that Adderley’s journey from leaving the navy at 20 to becoming a chief constable was an “amazing story” worthy of telling but that “something in Nick Adderley told him that was not enough”. He added that he was “compelled to create a fantasy which he felt was better suited to a police officer as he climbed the ranks”.
He said he first “dipped his toe in the water” when he wore the South Atlantic Medal, but that the General Service Medal, better known as the Northern Ireland medal, also played into his image of “stolen valour”.
“By wearing medals he stole their richly deserved valour and recognition. He knew he was not entitled to wear the medals.
“He gave the false impression he had served in the Falklands War and Northern Irelands and that was his purpose,” he concluded.
Mr Cowx said that Nick Adderley “embraced” the media and “cultivated an image of himself as a no-nonsense man of action”. The panel were “satisfied” that the top cop was the “originator of the inaccuracies” in articles about himself and found his “audacity to be quite staggering”.
He said the chief constable “could not resist the temptation” to “turn the spotlight on himself”.
“Lying became engrained and he continued to do so with arrogant temerity,” he added.
“Alarm bells should have rang but they did not because the checks were clearly not done. Here we have someone who slipped under the radar to take up a senior position in the police service, having very obviously lied to get the job.”
There are questions to be answered about the vetting that took place before Adderley was made the chief constable. The responsibility lies with the police, fire and crime commissioner’s office. Stephen Mold, whose own career ended in disgrace, was responsible for ensuring this had been done to the correct level.
Adderley was not there in person to hear his fate, but his lawyer read out this statement (printed below in full).
He will now be barred from holding a job in the police and may face criminal charges related to fraud. The CPS has yet to make a decision and another investigation about his time at Staffordshire Police is ongoing.
“Today’s decision, by the disciplinary panel, brings to an end my career of
over 32 years as a police officer.
I have had the privilege of serving communities across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Northamptonshire and it has been the greatest honour of my life to lead brave men and women of those forces, who every day and night came to work, never knowing what they may face, in order to keep us safe.
For over three decades I have witnessed first-hand the professionalism and dedication they apply and their unswerving bravery in the face of all that life brings, in the selfless pursuit of safer communities and protecting others. Sadly, I have also witnessed the impact and devastation when officers have paid the ultimate sacrifice, losing their lives in the face of evil. Scars that run deep and which will never heal.
The pride I have in those I have led has no bounds, and I will be forever grateful to them for the difference they have made to the lives of so many, and for the difference they have made to my life too.
To those I have worked with, and led, firstly I thank you, thank you for your support, your kindness and for inspiring me to push on, to be a better leader and colleague; but to those same men and women I offer you a heartfelt apology.
As a senior leader and role model, one of my main ambitions was to lead by example and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, promoting all that is exemplary in British policing.
Today’s determination has shown that I have failed you in that regard, something that I deeply regret, a regret that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
I also regret that I will no longer be with you in the future, as the
challenges of policing get ever more complex, but please be under no illusion; I will be cheering you all on from the sidelines.
One of the most painful aspects of this case is the hurt that I have caused to veterans of the armed forces. This has been compounded, as I come from a very proud family of veterans.
For those who know me, will know that I have been a staunch supporter of armed forces veterans and that I have campaigned tirelessly in support of them particularly in respect of their transition from the armed services into policing, something I have been incredibly passionate about for many years.
I am proud of the work and progress made but feel bitterly disappointed in myself that I did not take more care or was more considerate when displaying my own medals alongside those handed to me. My ambition was to share and promote the incredible work of armed forces personnel and to proudly speak of the debt of gratitude that we all owe those who serve, and who have served our country, and not to offend or devalue the contributions they have made in defending our freedoms.
To those veterans I have offended, I apologise unreservedly.
Mark Twain once said “The two most important days in your life are the day you are you born and the day you find out why”.
For me, I know that I was born to serve others, to protect and to offer reassurance and support to those less able to help themselves. My 32 years’ service has allowed me to do just that, and I feel incredibly lucky to have done so, but this has not all been plain sailing; I have made mistakes, I am human, and I am fallible and for those traits and mistakes I must take full responsibility, including the loss of a career that I cherished and lived for every day.
Thank you to all of you who have been on this incredible journey with me.”
He only apologised to police officers and to veterans, not the wider public who paid his wages and in whose interests he should serve. Having been caught lying and misrepresenting his career, he nonetheless seems to think he has done a good job. He hasn't. He has brought this important office into serious disrepute.
By the way, can he still draw his considerable police pension?
Mr Adderley says “Thank you to all of you who have been on this incredible journey with me.”.
I wonder if he’s referring to the journey to the South Atlantic to help liberate the Falkland Islands, or his journey to the pinnacle of his police career achieved by misrepresenting his background. I would guess that anyone involved on his “incredible journey” must now feel betrayed, sick and ashamed of the support that they gave him.
Mr Adderley quite clearly cares for Mr Adderley, anyone else is collateral damage that he just accepts as a consequence of his determination to rise to the top.
You are not a nice man Mr Adderley, there are plenty like you, but it’s satisfying when one of you is exposed for the sad little man that you seem to have been for most of your life.