Former Hampshire and Isle of Wight chief constable Scott Chilton is to be barred from policing for at least five years after being found guilty of gross misconduct over relationships with two junior female officers.

Today (October 8), an independent disciplinary panel concluded that Chilton, 53, would have been dismissed had he still been serving, with each of four allegations serious enough to warrant dismissal.

The hearing in Eastleigh found that Chilton had sex with one officer while on duty, repeatedly lied about their relationship and attempted to prevent an investigation.

He was also found to have abused his position as chief constable by pursuing a consensual sexual relationship with another junior officer shortly after taking up the role in 2023.

The panel found that between 2008 and 2012, when Chilton was a chief inspector or superintendent, he had a relationship with the first officer, which included sexual encounters while on duty.

He failed to declare the relationship when applying to become chief constable and later repeatedly denied it when questioned by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, her chief executive and his deputy chief constable.

The panel also found he attempted to avoid a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in February 2025.

Regarding the second officer, Chilton failed to disclose their relationship in breach of police policies and behaved inappropriately towards her when it came to light.

The panel concluded that Chilton had breached professional standards relating to honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, discreditable conduct, and authority, respect and courtesy.

He will now be placed on the College of Policing's barred list for a minimum of five years, preventing him from taking another role in policing or certain other law enforcement bodies.

Chilton retired in April 2025 following the launch of the misconduct investigation.

He did not attend the hearing. His barrister, James Berry KC, told the panel on Monday that Chilton was suffering from medical issues arising from the proceedings.

Before the hearing, Chilton acknowledged a failure to disclose one relationship but denied the other and rejected allegations that he had abused his position.

He said his behaviour had not influenced policing decisions and expressed regret for the hurt caused to his family.

Following the findings on Thursday, October 8, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “These are serious findings concerning a person who occupied the most senior position in the Constabulary.

“The public rightly expects the highest standards from everyone who serves in policing. Those entrusted with leadership have a particular responsibility to uphold and demonstrate the highest professional standards.”

Ms Jones, who referred concerns about Chilton to the IOPC in February and April 2025, thanked her office and the misconduct panel for bringing the proceedings to a conclusion.

She added: “My focus has always been on ensuring people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight receive the effective, accountable policing service they deserve.”

The panel's full written determination is expected to be published on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner's website within 10 working days.