ONE OF Hampshire's longest-serving police officers has retired from the force - just months after being accused of sexual misconduct.

John Apter was chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) - which represents 120,000 rank-and-file officers - when the allegations surfaced last December.

He was immediately suspended by both Hampshire Constabulary and the Federation.

Announcing his retirement on social media Mr Apter said: "Retiring from the police after 30+ years was an emotional time for me. It's been more than just a job and I’ve loved being part of the policing family."

Hampshire Chronicle: Mr Apter is a former chairman of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police Federation.Mr Apter is a former chairman of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police Federation. (Image: Supplied)

Mr Apter said he was on holiday in Iceland on the day he officially left the force.

He added: "Those few short days away gave me time to reflect, to try and make sense of things and to focus on my future. Now and again we need to do things for ourselves, it’s not selfish, it’s maintenance."

Mr Apter was suspended over four alleged breaches of professional standards in 2021, one of which is said to have occurred at an awards ceremony.

A criminal investigation was also launched into claims of sexual touching on two of those occasions.

Hampshire Chronicle: Mr Apter was until recently chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents 120,000 rank-and-file officers.Mr Apter was until recently chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents 120,000 rank-and-file officers. (Image: Supplied)

Mr Apter had previously announced he would not be standing for re-election as chairman of the PFEW when the ballot took place in February this year.

Speaking in October 2021 he said: "I love what the federation and our reps do and I couldn’t be more proud of the small part I have played.

"A lot has happened since I became national chair, both professionally and personally; it’s been relentless. In all that time, all I have ever done is my best, and I hope that in some small way I have helped make a positive difference."

After joining Hampshire police Mr Apter worked in a variety of uniformed roles before becoming chairman of the Hampshire and Isle and Wight Police Federation.

After eight years in the job, he was elected chairman of the national organisation in August 2018.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) described the investigation into the allegations against Mr Apter as "ongoing".