Former Chief Constable found to have committed gross misconduct

The former Chief Constable of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary has been found to have committed gross misconduct following a public misconduct hearing.

An independent panel found Scott Chilton had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of the following standards: Honesty and Integrity, Orders and Instructions, Discreditable Conduct, and Authority, Respect and Courtesy.

The panel found it was proven that between 2008-2012, while Mr Chilton was holding Chief Inspector or Superintendent rank, he was involved in a sexual relationship with a more junior officer where, on occasion, they had sex on duty.

It was also proven that he failed to declare the relationship during the application process for the Chief Constable position and later was dishonest by repeatedly denying the relationship when asked on several occasions by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), the PCC’s chief executive, and his deputy chief constable.

Mr Chilton also attempted to avoid a referral to the IOPC regarding this relationship in February 2025.

It was proven that Mr Chilton abused his position for a sexual purpose by pursuing a consensual sexual relationship with a junior officer shortly after he became Chief Constable in 2023.

He repeatedly failed to disclose this relationship, in breach of local and national policies, and when the relationship came to light, he behaved inappropriately towards that junior officer.

The panel determined that Mr Chilton’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct. The panel found he would have been dismissed if he was still a serving officer for all four allegations. As a result he will be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list for a minimum of five years, which will prevent him from being employed or appointed by a police force or other specified law enforcement body.

Concerns regarding the former Chief Constable were referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) by the Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones in February 2025 and April 2025.

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “These are serious findings concerning a person who occupied the most senior position in the Constabulary.

“The public rightly expects the highest standards from everyone who serves in policing. Those entrusted with leadership have a particular responsibility to uphold and demonstrate the highest professional standards.

“I would like to thank my office for ensuring that we secured a successful prosecution, and the misconduct panel for helping to bring this period of uncertainty to a close.

“My focus has always been on ensuring people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight receive the effective, accountable policing service they deserve.

“That remains my focus now. I will continue hold the Chief Constable to account for delivering the best service to the public and upholding the very highest standards.”

The full determination of the misconduct panel will be published on the OPCC website within 10 working days.