The former head of Hampshire Constabulary was paid more than £55,000 after stepping down from his post while an internal inquiry into his conduct was under way, accounts released to the local press show.
Payments and the timeline
Scott Chilton resigned with immediate effect in April 2025 shortly after the local newspaper revealed that a watchdog was examining allegations that he had sexual relationships with officers. Financial records indicate he received a payment described as "compensation for loss of employment" amounting to £55,154, which the paper says relates to a payment in lieu of a notice period. In addition, the accounts record more than £13,000 in salary for the period from 1 April 2025 to his resignation on 7 April 2025. In the year before that, he is recorded as having been paid £217,389 in salary.
| Payment type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Compensation for loss of employment (PILON) | £55,154 |
| Salary (1–7 April 2025) | £13,000+ |
| Salary (previous financial year) | £217,389 |
Meetings with the police and crime commissioner
The records also reveal meetings between Mr Chilton and Hampshire's police and crime commissioner, Donna Jones. They met at the commissioner’s home in November 2024 to discuss his future, and again at police headquarters on 12 February 2025. The local paper reports that on 12 February it was decided not to refer the matter immediately to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC); a referral was subsequently made on 26 February 2025.
Allegations and forthcoming hearing
Mr Chilton faces allegations set to be considered at a misconduct hearing scheduled for October. The published notice of misconduct includes claims that he abused his position by engaging in a sexual relationship with an officer while serving as chief constable and that he failed to declare that relationship. The notice also alleges he had a sexual relationship with a more junior officer earlier in his career and did not disclose a previous relationship during his application to become chief constable.
He is accused of having "repeatedly and dishonestly" denied the relationship when questioned by senior figures in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
What this means locally
The case raises questions about transparency and the oversight of senior police appointments in Hampshire. Payments to senior officers who leave under a cloud are likely to attract scrutiny from councillors, campaigners and members of the public keen to understand how public funds are used and how misconduct allegations are handled.
- Payment transparency: The breakdown of pay and the description of sums as compensation will be examined by those calling for clarity on severance arrangements for senior public servants.
- Accountability: The sequence of meetings between the commissioner and chief constable, and the timing of the referral to the IOPC, will be of interest to any review of governance and decision-making.
- Next steps: The misconduct hearing in October will determine whether the allegations are upheld and what sanctions, if any, follow.
Hampshire residents and local authorities will be watching the forthcoming hearing for answers about both the alleged conduct and the handling of the matter by those charged with policing oversight. The outcomes may influence how senior appointments and complaints are managed in future.
