A former chief constable is set to undergo a disciplinary hearing following accusations of engaging in sexual activities while on duty and failing to disclose a romantic involvement with another officer.
Scott Chilton stepped down from his leadership position at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in April 2025 amid claims of two workplace relationships. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced that he will be subject to a gross misconduct hearing following a referral from Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner Donna Jones.
The IOPC stated that their investigation revealed potential breaches of police standards of professional behavior by the former chief constable, specifically in the areas of honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, orders and instructions, and discreditable conduct.
The investigation focused on allegations concerning two undisclosed sexual relationships within the workplace. One relationship occurred before Chilton assumed the chief constable position, while the other took place after his appointment.
According to the IOPC, Chilton is accused of not revealing a prior sexual relationship with another officer during the chief constable application process. Additional claims include engaging in sexual activities with an officer while on duty before becoming chief constable and falsely denying the relationship during his tenure to senior officials from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner’s office and the force.
Furthermore, it is alleged that Chilton misused his position by engaging in a sexual relationship with an officer while serving as chief constable and failing to disclose this relationship.
IOPC director Derrick Campbell emphasized the gravity of allegations involving officers exploiting their position for sexual purposes, noting that evidence from the investigation suggested that the former chief constable’s behavior may have violated police standards of professional conduct.
The decision has been made for Chilton to face a disciplinary hearing, with the police and crime commissioner tasked with organizing the proceedings where a disciplinary panel will assess the evidence to determine the validity of the gross misconduct claims.
A statement from Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner’s office confirmed that based on the IOPC investigation findings, former Chief Constable Scott Chilton will be required to attend a disciplinary hearing, with a scheduled date to be arranged promptly.