A former Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary would have been sacked if he had not retired, a misconduct panel has ruled after finding he had been "repetitively dishonest" over sexual relationships with two subordinate officers.
Scott Chilton retired from the top role in April 2025 after allegations emerged of workplace relationships with two colleagues, referred to as Officers A and B. The panel of the misconduct hearing held in Eastleigh found the 53-year-old had a sexual relationship with Officer A between 2008 and 2012 while ranked as a superintendent, repetitively failed to disclose it, and engaged in sexual activity whilst on duty.
The panel also found he abused his position for a sexual purpose by engaging in a relationship with Officer B and again repetitively failing to disclose it. In total, the panel found he had committed "four charges".
Panel's findings and criticism
Chairwoman Michelle Skeer, of His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, said Mr Chilton's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct. She stated: "Former chief constable (FCC) Chilton's behaviour showed persistent dishonesty and lack of integrity."
She said he had acted in a "domineering" fashion towards his colleagues in a bid to "control the narrative" in relation to responding to press inquiries about the allegations. She added: "The panel concluded that FCC Chilton's behaviour was intentional, deliberate and planned. He was in the highest position of trust as the most senior officer in the constabulary and ought to have known the foreseeable risk of harm by having a covert relationship."
Ms Skeer noted that Mr Chilton had attempted to "bully" Officer B into "keeping quiet" by asking her to "delete and double delete" their messages and not to attend events that his wife would attend, demonstrating the "power imbalance" between them. She also said he had engaged in sexual activity with Officer A while on duty and in silver command, meaning he would have been the officer in charge if a major incident occurred.
Allegations come to light
John Beggs KC, representing the Office of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, said the allegations came to light following disciplinary proceedings against former detective chief inspector Roger Wood in February 2025. Mr Wood had stated during his hearing that the chief constable "has had affairs".
Mr Beggs said Mr Wood had exchanged messages with Officer A in which they discussed her relationship with Mr Chilton, who was referred to as the "earl of terracotta" as an "in-joke". He quoted Mr Wood as writing: "It's just agonising that Scott Chilton earl of terracotta can s*** on duty, say I've done nowt wrong and have a giggle about it but does nothing to intervene in this madness."
Officer B told her line manager in March 2025 that her "intimate relationship" with Mr Chilton had started two years earlier and that he had told her he was divorced, despite being married for a second time in 2022. When interviewed by the IOPC, Officer B said the attention Mr Chilton, an officer for 33 years, gave her was "what the doctor ordered… you know, someone who actually understood".
Former chief's response
The former chief constable, who did not attend the tribunal and was not legally represented, said in a statement that he admitted the relationship with Officer B but "strongly disputed" the relationship with Officer A. He said: "I fully accept that my actions in not disclosing that relationship fell short of the standards that police officers are judged by."
He added: "These were personal matters, rather than issues affecting policing or public safety, and at no point did this relationship influence policing decisions, operational matters, or the discharge of professional responsibilities. I strongly dispute some of the issues raised by this investigation, but resolution was required. However, I regret the embarrassment and distraction this has caused."
