Ex-Police Federation head denies making inappropriate comment about officer's widow
Former Hampshire and Isle of Wight PC John Apter says the allegation involving Lissie Harper is deeply offensive
Last updated 2nd Oct 2024
The former head of the Police Federation who has denied making a sexual comment about the widow of an officer killed in the line of duty told a disciplinary tribunal that he had only been “insistent” that she was given appropriate support.
John Apter, a former constable for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight force, is accused of three allegations of misconduct
One involves allegations of Mr Apter saying that he would like to “comfort” PC Andrew Harper’s widow Lissie Harper in his hotel room, shortly before she collected a posthumous award on behalf of her late husband.
PC Harper, who worked for Thames Valley Police, was killed while responding to a bike theft by three teenagers in Berkshire in August 2019 just four weeks after getting married.
Mrs Harper was made an MBE in 2022 for her campaign to strengthen the law in his memory, which was known as Harper’s Law.
The hearing was told that Mr Apter, who retired as a Pc in 2022 after more than 30 years of service, had allegedly made the comment about Mrs Harper during a staff “huddle” at preparations for an awards ceremony during the annual Roads Policing Conference in January 2020.
Mr Apter told the hearing that prior to the event he had made contact with the chief constable of Thames Valley Police and the chairman of that force’s police federation, Craig O’Leary, to ensure that Mrs Harper would receive any support she would need at the event.
Concerned
He said:
“I was so concerned because it was so soon after, not only Andrew’s tragic death but the funeral. I knew they hadn’t been married for long, it was a very emotional time and I was very concerned that our attempt to do something positive could retraumatise, I was really worried.”
Mr Apter, who was elected chairman of the National Police Federation in August 2018, said that he had been reassured but spoke again about the support available for Mrs Harper during the “huddle” but denied saying anything sexual.
The 55-year-old said: “I remember I was really insistent that the support must be in place for Lissie and I was given that reassurance but I really persisted and I think at that point I did say that I had also spoken with the chief constable and Craig O’Leary, they knew it was a priority for me because I was really concerned.”
He continued: “I certainly didn’t say anything in a sexually inappropriate way, certainly not in a hotel room, absolutely not.
“I accept in the conversation I was really insistent about the support that was going to be in place.
“Lissie was on my table. It’s not inconceivable I would say I would look after her at the dinner table.”
Denying the allegation, Mr Apter added: “All of it is deeply upsetting, with Lissie Harper and all she had been through and my concerns for her, to have this allegation is deeply offensive.
“All the allegations are offensive but this one and the impact of such an allegation, not on me but on Lissie and her family I can only imagine it would have been horrific.
“But at no time in my mind did I say anything that could have been misinterpreted as something sexual.”
Mr Apter said that he kept in contact with Mrs Harper following the event and added: “Lissie contacted me directly, thanking me for what we had done and asking if we wanted to keep in contact.”
Describing their relationship, he continued: “Friendship was probably too strong, we didn’t socialise, I had a lot of respect for her Lissie and her family.
“We met a few times, it was about giving my support and the organisation’s support for what became Harper’s Law.
“I was very proud to support her with that, we became professionally close, that is why it was been so hurtful because that closeness was severed when she was notified of the allegations against me.”
Mr Apter also denies an allegation that he made a sexual comment to a federation member of staff and an allegation that he touched a woman’s bottom.
The hearing continues.