A TOP officer at the Civil Nuclear Constabulary has been spared the sack, after he was found in breach of professional standards for wearing medals which falsely implied he had served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Superintendent Glenn McAleavey is a firearms officer with the force and had been suspended pending the misconduct hearing. He was facing the sack for the offence, but despite the misconduct panel finding his actions amounted to gross misconduct, they decided to give him a final written warning.

A report published after the hearing, said: "At the conclusion of the hearing on August 14 the panel found that Superintendent Glenn McAleavey’s actions amounted to gross misconduct.

"Superintendent McAleavey served as Royal Marine prior to joining the Civil Nuclear Constabulary in 2007. On April 4, 2012 (when he was a Police Sergeant) Superintendent McAleavey attended a private award ceremony hosted by the Chief Constable of Cumbria Police. At that ceremony Superintendent McAleavey wore medal ribbons representing military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, although he had not served in either conflict.

"The panel found Superintendent McAleavey’s actions in wearing medal ribbons that he was not entitled to wear, to be a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour concerning Honesty and Integrity and Discreditable Conduct and determined that he should receive a final written warning."

The news caused controversy among former servicemen.

Gerard Richardson, who served as a Royal Navy aircraft engineer between 1980 and 1987, said there was a growing phenomenon of people wearing medals they were not entitled to. He said: "I can only assume that some people experience some personal issues and wearing these medals makes them feel better.

"It's not just misleading or dishonest, it's a breach of trust with the forces.

"It’s bewildering in this case because he’s a former Royal Marine and has therefore has absolutely nothing to prove to anyone.

"It just sets a bad example and isn't what we should expect of an officer."

Mike McKenzie, 63, served between 1974 and 1979. He said: "My personal opinion is that he should be sacked from his post for the sheer dishonesty of what he's done."