‘Gross misconduct’ | Chief constable retires hours after notice of investigation into alleged workplace relationships

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's Chief Constable has quit his post and retired, just hours after a notice confirmed he would be probed over two alleged workplace relationships.

Scott Chilton was contacted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on Monday, informing the police chief he was being investigated for “potential gross misconduct.”

Reports of the alleged relationships – one prior to his appointment as Chief Constable and one after – first emerged at the end of March.

Why is the police chief being investigated over alleged workplace relationships?

Chilton, who took the post in Hampshire in February 2023, was the national lead for investigations and tactics, training, and equipment, including responsibilities for standards and accreditation and detective recruitment and retention.