Scott Chilton , the former Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary,received a payment exceeding £55,000 following his sudden resignation. The payout, which reportedly covers his notice period, comes as he faces a misconduct hearing this October regarding allegations of undisclosed sexual relationships.
The £55,154 payment for a three-month notice period
Scott Chilton, the former Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, received £55,154 as compensation for loss of employment. This amount was provided as "Pay in Lieu of Notice" (PILON) after Chilton resigned with immediate effect in April last year, as reported by the source.
The payment was intended to cover the three-month notice period required by Chilton's contract. This exit package follows a 33-year career in the police force, during which Chilton served as Chief Constable in Dorset before being appointed to his current role in February 2023.
Two undisclosed relationships and the breach of professional standards
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating Scott Chilton for potential breaches of professional standards, including honesty and integrity. The investigation focuses on allegations that Chilton abused his position for sexual purposes by having a relationship with an officer while serving as Chief Constable.
According to the report, Chilton is also accused of failing to disclose a previous sexual relationship with another junior officer during his application process for the Chief Constable position. These allegations suggest a pattern of behavior that violates police standards regarding authority, respect, courtesy, and discreditable conduct.
How Roger Wood's misconduct hearing exposed the affair
The allegations against Scott Chilton first emerged in April last year during a misconduct hearing for Roger Wood, a former senior detective. During his own proceedings, Wood accused Chilton of having an affair, stating, "Well the chief constable had an affair."
Roger Wood was ultimately found guilty of gross misconduct and barred from policing, but he resigned while the investigation into his own conduct was ongoing. His testimony served as the catalyst for the scrutiny now facing the former Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary leader.
What the October misconduct hearing will reveal about Scott Chilton
A formal misconduct hearing is scheduled for October to consider the allegations against Scott Chilton. This hearing follows a referral from Donna Jones, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire, regarding the potential breaches of professional standards.
Several questions remain unanswered regarding the vetting process that allowed Chilton to ascend to the role of Chief Constable.. It is currently unclear if the IOPC will find that Chilton repeatedly and dishonestly denied these allegations when questioned by senior figures in the Office of the PCC.
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