STAFFORDSHIRE POLICE CHIEF CONSTABLE CHRIS NOBLE RESIGNS

Chris Noble resigned as Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police on the eve of a two-day misconduct hearing. Mr Noble submitted his resignation to Staffordshire Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams on 28 September. The hearing, which addresses allegations of gross misconduct against Mr Noble, commenced the following day. Staffordshire Police declined to comment on his departure.

Mr Noble joined Staffordshire Police in December 2021 and had been suspended from the force since August 2025 while the misconduct process proceeded. The panel chairman disclosed details of the resignation, though reporting restrictions remain in place preventing publication of further information from the proceedings at present. The restrictions mean the specific nature of the gross misconduct allegations has not been made public.

The resignation removes the need for the misconduct hearing to continue. Mr Noble's position as the force's most senior officer has now become vacant. The circumstances surrounding his suspension and the allegations against him remain subject to legal restrictions on reporting.