His counsel told the hearing that Mr Adderley denies misconduct and that he acted without integrity, but admits he breached standards in terms of duties and responsibilities.
Mr Beggs told the panel, chaired by Callum Cowx, that Mr Adderley had claimed he had seen active service during his naval career, had been a military negotiator in Haiti and that he had been a “commander or a lieutenant”.
All these claims were an “enormous exaggerations” and Mr Adderley was only ever an able seaman before he was discharged after two years of service, Mr Beggs said, adding that he also “allowed or promoted the notion that he served in the Falklands”.
A South Atlantic Medal, awarded to British military personnel and civilians for service in the Falklands War, that Mr Adderley had worn on several occasions and claimed was his brother’s, is “not believed to be a valid medal”, Mr Beggs said.
He told the panel: “This case is not about whether Mr Adderley made a positive contribution to Northants Police.
“It is about whether he has, over many years, deliberately advanced a false narrative to exaggerate his service, rank and achievements in the Royal Navy and allowed or promoted the notion that he served in the Falklands.
“To claim you served your country when in fact you were 15 years old is an egregious thing to have done by any person, let alone a senior police officer.”
Mr Beggs also claimed that Mr Adderley had failed to correct a number of media articles and publications which mentioned “falsehoods” in his career history over the years and that there was incorrect information on his own CV and application form when he applied for the chief constable role.
He added: “He was never a leader in the Royal Navy in any reasonable or ordinary sense, he was the lowest rank among ratings.
“He described himself as a commended officer, but he received no formal commendations or medals. Later he was to suggest by commended he meant people had told him he had ‘done a good job’.”
The hearing continues.
