Former Chief Constable Had Sex With Junior Officer While On Duty

Scott Chilton has been found to have committed gross misconduct after an independent panel ruled he breached professional standards over two sexual relationships with junior officers.

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 breached standards relating to honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, discreditable conduct, and authority, respect and courtesy.

The panel found that between 2008 and 2012, when Mr Chilton was a chief inspector or superintendent, he was involved in a sexual relationship with a more junior officer and, on occasion, had sex while on duty.

It also found he failed to declare the relationship when applying to become chief constable and later repeatedly denied it when questioned by the Police and Crime Commissioner, her chief executive and his deputy chief constable.

Mr Chilton also attempted to avoid a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the relationship in February 2025.

The panel found he abused his position for a sexual purpose by pursuing a consensual sexual relationship with a junior officer shortly after becoming chief constable in 2023.

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

The panel determined that Mr Chilton's conduct amounted to gross misconduct and found he would have been dismissed if he were still a serving officer.

He will now be placed on the College of Policing's barred list for at least five years, preventing him from being employed or appointed by a police force or other specified law enforcement body.

Concerns about the former chief constable were referred to the IOPC by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones in February and April 2025.

Ms Jones said the findings were serious and that those in senior policing roles had a particular responsibility to uphold the highest professional standards.

She said her focus remained on ensuring people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight receive an effective and accountable policing service.

The full determination of the misconduct panel is due to be published on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner's website within 10 working days.