Top cop quits amid probe into 'Affairs'

It was a single comment at a misconduct hearing that lead to the Southern Daily Echo breaking and pursuing a story that ultimately led to the resignation of Hampshire’s chief constable, Scott Chilton. It is an impressive example of how local public-interest journalism can force accountability at the highest level.

Reporters recognised the significance of a former officer claiming that the chief constable had previously engaged in an affair with a junior colleague. Via persistent questioning, the Echo uncovered that this comment had triggered a mandatory referral to the police watchdog. The Echo was then able to exclusively reveal that the county’s top officer was under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Further exclusives followed, including securing access to internal communications, ensuring the public had the fullest picture of what was unfolding at their local police force. 

Soon after, the Echo achieved another scoop, revealing that Chilton had resigned after being served notice of another investigation for potential gross misconduct over a second undisclosed relationship. 

“The resignation of a chief constable is an extraordinary event,” says Echo editor Ben Fishwick “That it came as a result of reporting by a regional newsroom underlines why local journalism matters.” 

Judges’ comments: “This scoop is an impressive example of the impact local journalism can have in uncovering and exposing high-level stories of significant interest on a local and national level.”