Former chief constable to face misconduct hearing

The former chief constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is to face a gross misconduct hearing following an investigation into two alleged workplace relationships.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Scott Chilton, who retired from the force last year while under investigation, had a case to answer for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour.

They relate to a relationship from before he was chief constable and another after taking the force's top job.

Chilton had also been the national lead for chief constables for both investigations and tactics, training and equipment.

It is alleged he:

• Failed to disclose a previous sexual relationship with another officer during the application process to become chief constable
• Had sex with an officer while on duty before becoming chief constable
• Repeatedly and dishonestly denied the relationship while he was chief constable to senior figures from both the police force and crime commissioner's office
• Abused his position for a sexual purpose, having a sexual relationship with an officer while chief constable, and failed to declare this relationship

IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: "Any allegations involving officers abusing their position for a sexual purpose are taken extremely seriously.

"At the end of our investigation, we found evidence to indicate that the former chief constable's conduct may have breached the police standards of professional behaviour.

"It will now be for the PCC (police and crime commissioner) to arrange these proceedings in due course, where a disciplinary panel will then determine, based on the evidence, whether the gross misconduct allegations are proven."

The PCC's office confirmed officers would only lose their pension if they are convicted of a criminal offence.

Campbell previously said the investigation began after a referral from Hampshire PCC Donna Jones last February, which was followed by a second in March, and that no criminal offences had been identified during the investigation.

Chilton began his career with the Hampshire force in 1992, becoming assistant chief constable before leaving to take up the role of deputy chief constable for Dorset Police.

He became chief constable of Dorset Police before taking on the same role in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in February 2023.

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