Chief Constable Scott Chilton has unexpectedly retired from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary with immediate effect amid an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct for alleged gross misconduct.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has today (Monday) accepted Scott Chilton’s retirement, which comes into effect immediately.
Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya has been appointed as Acting Chief Constable.
Scott has worked in policing for nearly 33 years, joining Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary in 1992 where he worked his way up to Assistant Chief Constable before becoming Deputy Chief Constable and then Chief Constable of Dorset Police. He returned to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary in 2023 to take the role as Chief.
But the last few weeks have been tarred with 2 mandatory referrals to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The first referral was made by the Commissioner on 27th February, with a second on 31st March.
As part of its ongoing investigation, the IOPC has today served Scott Chilton with a notice that he is under investigation for potential gross misconduct.
PCC Donna Jones has said:
“The Chief Constable has retired after 33 years of service.
Article continues below this advertisement “The IOPC investigation will continue notwithstanding his retirement.
“As Commissioner, I will now start the process to recruit a new Chief Constable. In the interim period I have appointed Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya as Acting Chief Constable to continue leading the force to deliver the best possible service to the public.”
Acting Chief Constable Sam de Reya has said:
“We are here, first and foremost, to deliver exceptional policing for our communities, putting victims first and bringing offenders to justice.
“This will continue to be our focus, to keep people safe and make sure they feel safe across our two counties.”
Obviously he knew he would be found guilty. So decided to take retirement as a way to secure his platinum plated pension.
alas this always seems to be the corrupt way with people in these ‘high ranking’ puplic roles…
They never take responsibilities for their actions & Always seem to leave with a massive pay-out (one way or another) from the public purse…
We would all like a platinum plated pension
especially in the current economic climate.
Personally, I have always thought it prudent, not to mention fairer, to wait until the evidence has been adduced before deciding whether or not someone is guilty. The investigation will go ahead notwithstanding his resignation so there will still be a verdict and, if gross misconduct is proved, a disposal so he is not “off the hook”. He has, however, saved our local Force from having any laundry aired quite so publicly.
it would be fairer, especially if he claims to be innocent of the charges (which they almost always do), to remain in office until after the investigaiton…
By retiring as soon as he is to be investigated, removes both the physical act, and reputational damage of dismissal…
Teh investigaiton may go ahear not notwithstanding his retirement, but even if the investigation finds him guilty of Gross Misconduct, you can bet that there will have been a clause in his contract stating that under those circumstances (e.g. he is found gulity of something after he has left office) , his pension will be unaffected.. and therefore he will get off scott free….
Guilty as hell then, doesn’t surprise me at all. Our so called PM is a crook and liar as is his “team” Seems that the top of the tree in any big organisation is as bent as hell, oh no that’s very far right of me, do I care. NO.
Well well, another failed product of the college of policing. I am sure it will all be swept under the carpet .
There rotten to the core
Is there any good ones left or our they all rotten bet he was a member of the cult
And another one bites the dust!! Corrupt, incompetent, over-paid, over- valued, and now overly pensioned! Is there no end to the total disregard our Public Servants have for the people they serve?
Another one will have his name pulled from the ‘club members’ hat and will promise to bow to the great Starmer and to get his little army of Drones to persecute anyone who is naughty with words, has a personal belief or opinion and feels completely demoralised by the whole judicial system that does his bidding no matter how illegal or immoral his orders are! What are the chances that we will get a free thinking, honest replacement who considers chasing REAL criminals a better use of his/her forces time and resources and perhaps tries to repair their blighted reputation? Perhaps even one who believes in genuine Free Speech!
ye funny that filthy lot..
Doesn’t look like the pension age goal posts have been moved back for him then?. Bloody amazing this one rule one rule stuff ay?
We don’t know what misconduct he has committed but if it was something that he would have nicked US for it WE had done it, then that is pure corruption