A former Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, Chris Noble, has been found guilty of gross misconduct by a police misconduct panel. The panel determined that Noble would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned from his position. He stepped down on Tuesday, just before the scheduled two-day misconduct hearing.
The panel, chaired by His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Kathryn Stone, concluded that Noble breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour, with the breaches constituting gross misconduct. Reporting restrictions remain in place for the hearing, which took place at Yarnfield Park Conference Centre in Staffordshire. Noble himself did not attend the proceedings.
Noble was initially suspended in August of the previous year following concerns raised about his conduct outside of his professional duties. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which led the investigation, was also examining allegations that Noble had shared confidential information without a legitimate policing purpose. By March, the watchdog had initiated two additional probes, one of which pertained to his tenure as assistant chief constable of Humberside Police.
Chris Noble was appointed Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police in October 2021.
According to a spokesman for the IOPC, the investigations covered conduct while on duty and/or on police premises during his time as assistant chief constable at Humberside Police in 2021, and subsequently as chief constable with Staffordshire Police in 2024 and 2025. Noble submitted his resignation letter to Ben Adams, the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime.
Adams stated that public confidence in policing is essential and requires all misconduct allegations to be thoroughly and independently investigated, irrespective of rank or status. He added that Staffordshire Police can now move forward following the conclusion of the independent process. Adams indicated his focus remains on the challenges facing the force, including those highlighted in a recent report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. He plans to take steps to ensure permanence and stability in the force's leadership to continue improving services for the communities of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Last year, Adams described Noble's suspension as a 'neutral act' intended to allow for an independent and thorough investigation, stating it had no bearing on an indication of guilt. He acknowledged the announcement might be a shock to many in Staffordshire, particularly officers and staff, but emphasized the importance of consistently and properly investigating allegations of a serious nature.
Following the misconduct ruling, Noble will be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, which prohibits him from being employed or appointed by any police force or other specified law enforcement body.