Police boss ‘wanted to comfort Pc Andrew Harper’s widow’ in hotel room, hearing told

The former head of the Police Federation made a sexually suggestive remark about the grieving widow of a police officer killed in the line of duty, a misconduct panel was told.

John Apter is accused of saying he wanted to comfort Lissie Harper in his hotel room as she prepared to collect a posthumous award on behalf of her husband, Andrew Harper, who was dragged to his death while trying to stop a gang of quad bike thieves in 2019.

Mr Apter, who was chairman of the Police Federation between 2018 and 2021, allegedly told colleagues: “I wouldn’t mind looking after her tonight” and “I’d like to comfort her in my hotel room”.

A gross misconduct panel also heard the former Hampshire constable groped a much younger officer’s bottom and made a suggestive comment to a pregnant colleague while attending the annual Police Bravery Awards.

Barrister Cecily White, representing Hampshire Constabulary, told the misconduct hearing there was a “pattern” to Mr 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 “placed him in significant power and authority”.

Outlining the first of the allegations, 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.”

Pc Harper, a 28-year-old officer with Thames Valley Police, was killed in 2019 when a getaway car dragged him to his death.

He had married his wife just three weeks earlier and the pair were about to go on their honeymoon when he was killed.

Three teenagers were subsequently jailed for his manslaughter.

Ms White told the hearing Mr Apter is also accused of touching 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.

The panel was told a large group of officers had been celebrating at a pub in central London.

Ms White said: “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.”

She said when the group moved on to a restaurant afterwards, Mr Apter allegedly placed his hands on Female A’s hips before squeezing her bottom at least once.

She described Mr Apter’s behaviour as “disrespectful and discourteous”.

The misconduct panel was told Mr Apter was allegedly “intoxicated” and “stumbling on the stairs” during the night out.

It was also alleged that he told a female colleague: “Maybe you’ll get a bum now”, after hearing about her pregnancy.

Mr Apter, who has since retired from Hampshire Constabulary, denies the allegations.

The hearing continues.