Now-retired PC John Apter is accused of making ‘sexually suggestive’ comments about Lissie Harper, the wife of PC Andrew Harper, as well as two other gross misconduct allegations
The chairman of the Police Federation said he wanted to ‘comfort’ the widow of a PC who was killed in the line of duty ‘in my hotel room’, a misconduct panel heard today.
PC John Apter is accused of making the ‘sickening’ and ‘sexually suggestive’ remark about Lissie Harper in 2020 after the death of her husband PC Andrew Harper. While organising a visit from Mrs Harper to collect a posthumous award on behalf of her husband, PC Apter allegedly said to colleagues “I’d like to comfort her in my hotel room”.
The then-chief of the Police Federation was also heard saying “I wouldn’t mind looking after her tonight”, a gross misconduct hearing was told today. At his misconduct hearing, PC Apter is also accused of groping a much-younger constable’s bottom on a police night out and telling a pregnant colleague ‘maybe you’ll get a bum now’.
Now-retired PC Apter, who enjoyed a 30-year career in policing, was chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales from 2018 to 2021. The association represents the interests of over 130,000 rank-and-file officers.
The ex-PC with Hampshire Constabulary today appeared for his first day of a nine-day Hampshire Constabulary misconduct hearing at the force’s HQ in Eastleigh. He denies three allegations of gross misconduct.
Barrister Cecily White, representing Hampshire Constabulary, said there was a ‘pattern’ to PC Apter’s behaviour, which she said was ‘sexist and derogatory’. “There are significant similarities between the allegations that different people have made from different perspectives which show an unfortunate attitude towards women in the workplace”, Ms White said.
She added that his role as chairman of the Federation ‘placed him in significant power and authority’. Detailing one allegation, Ms White said: “It was about the widow of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in the line of duty.
“His widow, Lissie Harper, was due to attend an awards ceremony to accept a posthumous award on behalf of her husband. In the context of a discussion about her attending the event, which would have been quite stressful for her, he said ‘I’d like to comfort her in my hotel room’, with an obvious sexual connotation.”
It was also heard that PC Apter was heard saying ‘I wouldn’t mind looking after her tonight’ in relation to Mrs Harper. PC Harper, a 28-year-old officer with Thames Valley Police, was killed in 2019 when a getaway car dragged him to his death.
PC Harper had been with Mrs Harper for 12 years, having been together since they were at school. Three teenagers were jailed for his manslaughter.
At today’s misconduct hearing, Ms White also outlined the two other allegations that PC Apter faces. “[An allegation of] sexual touching, this was an allegation that PC Apter placed his hand on the bottom of a [constable].
“[An allegation of] saying to Charlotte Styles, Internal Communications Manager at [Police Federation], ‘maybe you’ll get a bum now’, which was said in connection to her impending pregnancy.” Ms White told the hearing PC Apter groped the bottom of a junior constable from another force – named only as Female A – on a police night out in December 2021 before the Police Bravery Awards in London.
A large group of officers were drinking at a pub in the capital before some had planned on heading to a restaurant. “They all arrived about 5pm… there’s a bit of dancing and drinks. At some stage PC Apter asked to join the group at dinner later on.
“He bought [Female A] a bottle of prosecco whilst everyone else got a single drink, continually topping her drink, giving her the impression that he was trying to get her drunk, directing all his comments to her. It made her feel uncomfortable.”
Female A popped outside the bar and PC Apter followed her. Outside a selfie was taken. The group moved on to the restaurant and Ms White said PC Apter was seen walking with his hand on Female A’s back and his ‘palm by her waist’.
“That evidence is highly probative and relevant because it’s touching in a similar area to the [touching at the centre of allegations]”, Ms White said. She said when they arrived at the restaurant, while waiting for their table to be ready, PC Apter was seen with ‘both his hands on her hips’ and she was ‘very uncomfortable’.
Other officers saw PC Apter’s ‘whole hand on her bottom, going in a circular motion and squeezing at least once’. Ms White continued: “The group then came to the table when it was ready. After the touching at the bar, Female A said she felt uncomfortable so went and sat at one end so she can’t be sat next to anyone else.
“PC Apter darted over to the table and gestured for Female A to move along the bench where she was sitting so he could sit next to her. She reluctantly shuffled down to let him sit next to her.
“As she stands up to shuffle, it’s alleged that he placed his right hand on her right bottom cheek and kept it there. She said he moved his head towards her ear and whispers ‘is that OK?'”
Ms White said PC Apter’s behaviour was ‘disrespectful and discourteous’. She added that ‘Female A’ expressed her displeasure throughout the evening about how PC Apter behaved’.
It was heard PC Apter was ‘intoxicated’ and ‘stumbling on the stairs’ during the night out. The hearing was also told Jamie Simpson, an outgoing communications officer for the Police Federation, raised concerns about cultural issues within the federation.
He said there was ‘blatant hypocrisy amongst the principal officers’, adding: “On one hand they preach to members about sexism and misogyny, yet some of the things I have overheard of the things I have overheard the same people say about women associated with the organisation, even the widow of an officer, is sickening.”
In February 2023 the Crown Prosecution Service announced it would not be pursuing criminal charges against Mr Apter. The hearing continues.