Staffordshire's suspended Chief Constable resigns before misconduct hearing

The suspended Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Chris Noble has resigned from his role.

His resignation was submitted in a letter to Staffordshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Ben Adams, and took effect at 11am on Tuesday 28 July.

The announcement was made prior to a gross misconduct hearing involving Mr Noble, which started today (29 July).

In a statement, Ben Adams said: “I can confirm that yesterday (28 July), I received Chief Constable Chris Noble’s resignation, which I have accepted with immediate effect.

“Becky Riggs will remain as Staffordshire Police’s Acting Chief Constable.

“The misconduct hearing is continuing today as planned, under former officer provisions.”

The hearing relates to two allegations that are being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Mr Noble was suspended on 1 August 2025 while the investigations were carried out.

The IOPC previously said in a statement: “The investigations relate to behaviour while on duty and/or on police premises while serving as Assistant Chief Constable at Humberside Police in 2021, and during his time as Chief Constable with Staffordshire Police in 2024 and then in 2025.

“Our investigation will consider if he may have breached police professional standards relating to discreditable conduct and duties and responsibilities."

Those investigations followed an earlier inquiry into allegations that he shared confidential information without a proper policing purpose.

A spokesperson for the Chief Police Officers Staff Association said in March that Mr Noble was "engaging fully" with the IOPC investigation.

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