Nick Adderley, chief constable of Northamptonshire Police, has been regularly pictured wearing the South Atlantic Medal awarded to those who served in the 1982 war.

He has also reportedly been described as a veteran of the war in a press release and an interview.

At the time of the conflict, Mr Adderley was a 15-year-old sea cadet, The Guardian reports.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that it has begun an investigation into the “potential misrepresentation of his military service”.