Former Hampshire police chief constable faces gross misconduct charges over alleged workplace relationships
Former Hampshire police chief constable Scott Chilton is facing gross misconduct charges over allegations of two workplace relationships, including one that allegedly took place while he was on duty.
A former chief constable of Hampshire police is alleged to have “abused his position” to have a sexual relationship with a subordinate officer and had “sexual activity” with a second officer while on duty, a tribunal has heard.
Scott Chilton retired from the top role at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in April 2025, after the allegations emerged of two workplace relationships.
At the start of a disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct, James Berry KC, representing Mr Chilton explained that his client would not be attending the hearing because of “medical issues”, and he would no longer be representing him during the proceedings.
Chairwoman Michelle Skeer, of His Majesty’s Chief inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue services, ruled that the hearing should continue in Mr Chilton’s absence.
John Beggs KC, representing the appropriate authority (Office of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner), told the hearing that Mr Chilton faced four charges relating to the relationships with two female officers referred to as Officers A and B.
He said that Mr Chilton admitted misconduct in relation to Officer B, but not gross misconduct.
The relationship with Officer A, which is denied by Mr Chilton, is alleged to have taken place between 2008 and 2012 with some of the sexual activity having “occurred whilst he was on duty”.
He is also accused of “repetitively failing to disclose” the relationship and also attempting to “avoid a referral” about it to the Independent Officer for Police Conduct (IOPC) in February 2025.
Mr Beggs added that, in interview, Officer A had said: “The affair happened and it was consensual. It was sexual and we had intercourse on a number of occasions. I was single at the time of the affair.”
Mr Beggs said that Mr Chilton had admitted the relationship with Officer B which happened just weeks after he was appointed chief constable of Hampshire in February 2023, but denied that he had “abused his position for a sexual purpose”.
He said that Mr Chilton’s failure to declare this relationship “epitomises the lack of honesty and integrity on his part”.
The former chief constable said in a statement that he admitted to one of the “historic relationships between consenting adults”, but “strongly disputed” the second alleged relationship.
He said: “I fully accept that my actions in not disclosing that relationship fell short of the standards that police officers are judged by.
“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.”
He added that his “deepest regret” was for his family “for the hurt caused by my poor judgment and actions”.
Mr Beggs said the allegations came to light following disciplinary proceedings against former Detective Chief Inspector Roger Wood in February 2025 who stated during his hearing that the chief constable “has had affairs”.
Mr Beggs said that ahead of this case, Mr Wood had made threats about having “damaging information” about Mr Chilton, who had at the time described the allegation against him as “rubbish”.
But the PCC, Donna Jones, had said in November 2024 that Mr Chilton was considering resigning because of the Wood case, Mr Beggs said.
He added: “Why would Mr Chilton consider resigning for something he had not, on his account, done?”
Mr Beggs said Mr Chilton also tried to “frustrate the investigation” into Mr Wood because he feared he would expose him during the subsequent misconduct hearing. The barrister said another colleague had an audio recording of Officer A saying she had sex on duty with Mr Chilton “many years before he was chief constable”.
And Mr Beggs said a retired officer, referred to as Person C, had given evidence stating that Mr Chilton had arrived at a police station in his “smart car” to end his relationship with Officer A.
He added that another retired senior officer had given evidence saying that Officer A had informed her of the affair with Mr Chilton.
The hearing continues.