Ex-chief constable committed gross misconduct

The former chief constable of Staffordshire Police has been found to have committed gross misconduct and has been disbarred from the police service.

Chris Noble would have been dismissed, a panel said, if he had not resigned on the eve of a disciplinary hearing, which concluded on Thursday in his absence.

Noble was suspended in August amid inquiries by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who said it was continuing to investigate other allegations relating to the 52-year-old, both in and outside his policing duties.

None of the allegations, which involved his time at Humberside Police as well as in Staffordshire, can be reported because of restrictions set by the misconduct panel.

Staffordshire Police has confirmed Becky Riggs will continue in her role as acting chief constable.

Noble began his career in Northern Ireland, serving there for 21 years in a variety of roles, including head of professional standards and counter corruption.

In 2017, he moved to Humberside Police, rising to the rank of assistant chief constable, before he was appointed to the top post at Staffordshire Police in 2021, with his salary later advertised at over £188,000.

In a statement after the disciplinary hearing, IOPC director general Rachel Watson, said she backed calls for an overhaul to the way senior police officers were chosen.

A recent report by the Police Leadership Commission, with which the IOPC collaborated on, suggested an an "ethical reset" around top level leaders.

"As the police complaints watchdog, we are uniquely placed to identify issues, areas of concern, and ways to improve policing," she said.

"I do believe most chief officers do a good job in challenging circumstances. But too often our investigations are uncovering longstanding, unreported concerns about their behaviour.

"Concerns need to be raised and heard long before someone is considered suitable for appointment to the chief officer rank."

Until his resignation, Noble was one of eight serving or former chief constables under misconduct investigation or who were awaiting linked proceedings, the IOPC said.

The report, published earlier this month, said there were "significant causes for concern" and that police leadership requires a "fundamental overhaul".

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