Ex-Police Federation Chair Faces Misconduct Allegations Over Inappropriate Comments

John Apter, former chairman of the Police Federation, is currently facing a gross misconduct hearing over allegations of inappropriate behavior and comments. The accusations include making sexually suggestive remarks about Lissie Harper, the widow of a police constable killed in the line of duty.

The hearing, taking place approximately 5 years after the alleged incidents, has brought to light several serious claims against Apter, who led the Police Federation from 2018 to 2021. The federation, established by an Act of Parliament in 1919, represents over 130,000 police officers across England and Wales.

According to the allegations, Apter made inappropriate comments about Lissie Harper in January 2020, just months after her husband, PC Andrew Harper, was tragically killed while responding to a burglary call in Berkshire in August 2019. The incident occurred at the Annual Roads Policing Conference, where Mrs. Harper was to receive a posthumous award on behalf of her late husband.

Martin Buhagiar, former head of communications for the Police Federation, testified that Apter allegedly said, "I'd like to comfort her in my hotel room," with clear sexual connotations. Mrs. Harper, upon learning of the alleged remarks, described them as "highly inappropriate" coming from someone in Apter's position.

The hearing also heard accusations of Apter touching a younger officer inappropriately and making an insensitive comment to a pregnant colleague. These incidents reportedly took place during the Police Bravery Awards, an annual event that has been recognizing officer courage since 1995.

Buhagiar's testimony painted a picture of Apter engaging in what he termed "locker room bloke banter." He also claimed that during the 2021 Police Bravery Awards, Apter was drinking from a hip flask throughout the evening and was too intoxicated to film a usable interview about the event.

It's important to note that gross misconduct in policing can result in dismissal without notice. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales, ensuring that such allegations are thoroughly investigated.

John Apter, who joined Hampshire Constabulary in 1992 and served a 30-year police career, denies all the claims against him. The hearing is ongoing, and its outcome could have significant implications for Apter's legacy in British policing.

This case highlights the importance of maintaining high standards of professional conduct in law enforcement. The UK's police forces, comprising 43 territorial units, operate under strict ethical guidelines. Officers swear an attestation to serve with fairness, integrity, and impartiality, values that are at the core of British policing since its establishment by Sir Robert Peel in 1829.

As the hearing continues, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining public trust in policing institutions and the need for accountability at all levels of law enforcement.

"If true, it was highly inappropriate from someone in that position."