Why watchdog boss says chief constables having 'profound impact' on confidence in police
It comes after a misconduct panel investigated the actions of a former Hampshire chief constable.
Wrongdoing by chief constables is having a “profound impact” on confidence in policing, the head of the police watchdog said.
Rachel Watson, the director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), wrote in The Telegraph that the IOPC has launched almost 50 conduct investigations into chief constables since 2018. She also said that more needed to be done to allow whistleblowers to come forward.
Earlier this month a misconduct panel ruled that former chief constable Scott Chilton would have been sacked if he had not retired, after it found he had been “repetitively dishonest” over sexual relationships with two subordinate officers.
He retired from the top role at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in April 2025, after the allegations emerged of workplace relationships with two colleagues referred to as officers A and B. In July, the chief constable of Staffordshire Police resigned from the top job the day before a misconduct hearing.
Christopher Noble, who was appointed to the job in December 2021, was suspended in August last year by Staffordshire commissioner for police, fire and rescue and crime, Ben Adams. The suspension came amid an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation into allegations about his conduct.
Writing in The Telegraph, Ms Watson said: “Mr Chilton had been one of eight current or former chief constables that were under investigation by us or awaiting disciplinary or criminal proceedings.
“Since 2018, we have launched almost 50 conduct investigations into chief constables with common allegations including claims of cronyism, nepotism, and abuse of position for a sexual purpose.
“Standards of behaviour and integrity at the very top of policing came under the spotlight this summer with the publication of a report by the Police Leadership Commission.
“I do believe most chief officers do a good job in challenging circumstances. Police leadership is a hugely difficult job and arguably one of the hardest in public service. Chief officers have reached the highest ranks in policing through a passion for community safety and public service.
“They make high-pressure, strategic decisions which directly affect the communities they serve. Much of this goes unnoticed, under the radar. But when wrongdoing does occur, it has a profound impact on public confidence in policing.”
She also said “too often” when the watchdog investigate policing leaders “we uncover longstanding, unreported concerns about their behaviour”.
Ms Watson added: “Many allegations surface during other investigations, which compound their seriousness given it suggests others are too willing to turn a blind eye or feel uncomfortable speaking up.
“Concerns need to be heard long before someone is considered suitable for appointment to the chief officer rank. But we should not underestimate the challenges some officers and staff may feel in raising those concerns.”
Forces need to improve protection for whistleblowers, Ms Watson said, adding: “Building in additional protections and independence in the processes through which they raise their concerns would be useful.
“This can include strengthening protected routes, outside of forces, where whistleblowers can report their concerns with increased protection.
“It is understandable that officers and staff may feel uncomfortable raising delicate issues to supervisors or professional standards departments within their own force.”
She also said: “Police leaders set the culture for forces, so it’s vital the right people occupy chief officer positions, people with effective leadership skills and who come from diverse backgrounds, including experience away from policing. People should not reach chief officer ranks simply because their face ‘fits’.”