Former Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Chief Constable Scott Chilton received over £55,000 in compensation for loss of employment after his resignation, which followed an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct, including sexual relationships with two officers and having sex while on duty.
Chilton, who retired last year after 33 years of service, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a more junior officer during his tenure as chief constable and of engaging in sexual activity with a junior officer while on duty earlier in his career. The payment of £55,154 is understood to be in lieu of notice for his resignation, which was effective immediately in April of last year.
Misconduct Allegations
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) stated that Chilton has a case to answer for potential breaches of professional behavior standards, including honesty, integrity, authority, respect, courtesy, orders, instructions, and discreditable conduct. The investigation covers allegations of two undisclosed sexual relationships in the workplace, one prior to his appointment as chief constable and another after.
One allegation is that he abused his position for a sexual purpose by having a relationship with an officer while chief constable and failing to declare it. He is also accused of failing to disclose a previous sexual relationship with another officer during the application process for the chief constable position. It is alleged he repeatedly and dishonestly denied these claims when questioned by senior figures in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Investigation and Referral
Donna Jones, the police and crime commissioner for Hampshire, referred the case to the IOPC. Chilton is scheduled to appear at a misconduct hearing in October to address these allegations. The case came to light in April of last year during the misconduct hearing of Roger Wood, a former senior detective, who accused Chilton of an affair. Wood, who was facing allegations of relationships with junior staff himself, was found guilty of gross misconduct and barred from policing, though he resigned while under investigation.
Chilton joined the police force at age 18 and was appointed chief constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in February 2023, having previously served as chief constable in Dorset. Alexis Boon has since replaced him in the role.