Former Hampshire chief constable Scott Chilton has been found guilty of gross misconduct following a police disciplinary hearing into relationships with two female officers.

The 53-year-old, who retired from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in April 2025, faced allegations including dishonesty, failing to disclose relationships and abusing his position.

According to reports by the BBC, the tribunal found that Mr Chilton had repeatedly lied about the relationships and attempted to prevent details from emerging.

The panel also found that he had sex with one officer while on duty and abused his position as chief constable in his relationship with another.

His conduct amounted to gross misconduct, and the panel concluded that he could have been dismissed had he remained a serving officer.

The first relationship, involving a woman referred to as Officer A, was said to have taken place between 2008 and 2012, when Mr Chilton was a senior officer.

Mr Chilton denied the relationship, but the tribunal found that it had taken place.

The panel also considered his behaviour towards colleagues at a meeting in February 2025, when allegations concerning Officer A were discussed.

As previously reported by the Herald, the hearing in Eastleigh was told that Mr Chilton had become agitated during the meeting.

The tribunal also examined his relationship with Officer B, which began in 2023, shortly after he became Hampshire's chief constable.

At the opening of the hearing on Monday, October 5, John Beggs KC, representing the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Scott Chilton must have known it was grossly inappropriate to start a relationship with a staff team officer literally weeks after being appointed chief constable.”

The panel found that Mr Chilton had pressured Officer B to conceal their relationship.

The Herald previously reported that he had instructed her to “delete and double delete” messages between them.

Mr Chilton admitted the relationship with Officer B but denied abusing his position for a sexual purpose.

In a statement to investigators in August 2025, previously reported by the Herald, he said: “Having an affair with Officer B, I made poor decisions and exercised very bad judgement.

“The relationship between us was a private matter between two consenting adults and our respective ranks was never an issue for either of us.”

Mr Chilton did not attend the disciplinary hearing, with his barrister, James Berry KC, telling the panel that he was suffering from medical issues arising from the proceedings.

In a statement released at the beginning of the hearing, Mr Chilton acknowledged some wrongdoing but disputed other allegations.

“My deepest regret is to my family for the hurt caused by my poor judgement and actions. I take full responsibility for my decisions,” he said.