Ex-Hampshire chief constable accused of sex on duty and affairs with officers got £50k 'compensation' pay-off

By CLAIRE DUFFIN, SENIOR REPORTER Published: 12:36, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 12:38, 3 August 2026 A former police chief constable accused of having sex while on duty was paid more than £55,000 after he quit the force, it has emerged.  Scott Chilton retired last year following 33 years of service after the police watchdog announced he was under investigation for gross misconduct relating to sexual relationships with two officers. He is accused of having had a sexual relationship with a more junior officer while serving as chief constable, and having sex with a junior officer while on duty earlier in his career. Mr Chilton, former chief constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, was paid £55,154 as 'compensation for loss of employment' after he resigned with immediate effect in April last year.  The payment is understood to relate to a payment in lieu of working his notice period. He is due to appear at a misconduct hearing in October, when the allegations against him will be considered, following a referral from Donna Jones, the police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire. The misconduct notice alleges that he abused 'his position for a sexual purpose having a sexual relationship with an officer while chief constable and failed to declare this relationship'. Former Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's Chief Constable Scott Chilton who is being investigated by the police watchdog Former counter-terror officer Mr Chilton is also accused of failing to 'disclose a previous sexual relationship with another officer during the application process to become chief constable'  the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) added.  It is alleged that he 'repeatedly and dishonestly' denied allegations when questioned by senior figures in the Office of the PCC. The IOPC said Mr Chilton 'has a case to answer for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour relating to: honesty and integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; orders and instructions; and discreditable conduct'. It said it had investigated allegations relating to two sexual relationships in the workplace that he failed to disclose.  The first was before he became chief constable and the second was after his appointment. The allegations emerged in April last year when Roger Wood, a former senior detective, accused Mr Chilton of an 'affair' during his own misconduct hearing. When questioned about whether an affair amounted to misconduct, Mr Wood, who was facing allegations of relationships with junior staff, replied: 'Well, the chief constable had an affair.' Wood was found guilty of gross misconduct and barred from policing, but resigned while he was under investigation. A police spokesperson said: 'On Mr Chilton's resignation, he received £55,154 as Pay in Lieu of Notice (as opposed to him working the three month period in his contract).' Mr Chilton, who joined the police aged 18, was appointed chief constable in February 2023, having transferred back to Hampshire after serving as chief constable in Dorset. Alexis Boon has replaced Mr Chilton as Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.