Senior Hampshire officer crosses border to become new deputy chief constable of Dorset Police

AN officer with experience in intelligence and counter terrorism is transferring from Hampshire to become Dorset Police’s new deputy chief constable.

Scott Chilton’s selection was announced by Chief Constable James Vaughan, and he will replace retiring predecessor David Lewis in October.

He has most recently been Hampshire police’s assistant chief constable (crime, criminal justice and intelligence), acting as strategic lead across all investigations teams.

Having joined Hampshire in 1992, Mr Chilton worked through uniformed policing before moving to CID in 1996 and spending the next 16 years progressing through the ranks to chief superintendent.

Holding a master’s degree in applied criminology from the University of Cambridge, he has a background in intelligence, counter terrorism and leading series and complex crime investigations.

Mr Chilton was sent to Afghanistan in 2008 to lead development of policing reform and counter corruption. He has headed Special Branch and been a crime and operations commander in western Hampshire.

He also led the joint operations unit across both Hampshire and Thames Valley areas, responsible for firearms, operations and roads policing for five counties.

Mr Chilton said: “I am looking forward enormously to getting to know people and communities across Dorset.

“I have always been a strong advocate of evidence-based policing and have a strong desire to ensure policing focuses its efforts on protecting the most vulnerable and targeting those criminals who cause harm and misery to our communities.”