New chief constable for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

The first home grown chief constable for Hampshire and Isle of Wight has begun work in his new post leading the police force.

Scott Chilton, 49, returned to the force where he began his policing career as an 18-year-old and served nearly all of his life.

Mr Chilton has already outlined his commitment to strengthen local policing by connecting with communities and residents throughout the county.

Mr Chilton said: “Having strong relationships with our local communities is the bedrock of policing. We know that people want to feel connected with their local teams and to feel safe. I share that view.

“This means relentlessly pursuing those who commit crime and bring harm and misery to communities, providing first class investigations to ensure those responsible face the consequences of their actions, with kindness and compassion being at the heart of our response to victims.

“As well as being your chief constable, I am also a resident of Hampshire, with many of my family and friends living here too.

“So both personally and professionally, I have the same expectations as you and I am committed to making sure that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is safe for everyone.”

With 31 years of experience, Mr Chilton worked his way through uniform policing and spent 16 years as a detective.

He has undertaken a range of strategic roles leading policing commands, most recently as chief constable in Dorset and as the national lead for investigations.

Mr Chilton previously held the role of assistant chief constable in Hampshire for a period of five years.

He holds a master’s degree in applied criminology from the University of Cambridge and is an advocate of evidence-based policing.

He wants to ensure that policing focuses its efforts on protecting the most vulnerable and targeting those criminals who cause harm and misery to communities throughout Hampshire.

Police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said: “I am delighted to welcome Scott Chilton as the new chief constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

“Scott has extensive experience as a senior police officer, having already been a chief in Dorset, and I am really pleased to be welcoming him back to his home force to lead the constabulary into a new era.

“Together we want to make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight one of the safest places to live, work and visit, supported by strong, traditional local policing teams which connect and support communities to reduce crime.”