Police Chief Constable Chris Noble is under investigation
19:22, 01 Aug 2025Updated 19:34, 01 Aug 2025
Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Chris Noble
Staffordshire Police’s Chief Constable, Chris Noble, has publicly denied ‘any wrongdoing’ in a statement shared with StokeonTrentLive. It comes after he was suspended today as the result of an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
A referral was made to IOPC regarding Noble’s conduct last year – over concerns he had ‘shared confidential information without proper policing purpose’. But now ‘additional allegations’ concerning his behaviour outside of work before his time with Staffordshire Police have led to his immediate suspension.
The Chief Police Officer’s Staff Association – which offers support and guidance to top cops in the UK – is representing Constable Noble’s interests in this matter.
A spokesperson for CPOSA said: “Chief Constable Chris Noble completely and categorically denies any wrongdoing and will continue to cooperate fully with the IOPC investigation.”
But the IOPC says that it has ‘serious concerns’.
An IOPC spokesman said: “We received mandatory referrals from Staffordshire’s Office of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner on April 30, June 27 and July 29 this year in relation to Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Chris Noble.
“The referrals relate to reports we’ve received raising serious concerns over Mr Noble’s behaviour outside of his work duties. The matters pre-date Mr Noble’s appointment as Chief Constable for Staffordshire Police.
“The IOPC is also separately investigating Mr Noble over allegations he shared confidential information without proper policing purpose. That followed a referral in 2024 from the Office of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire.”
Ben Adams, the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue, issued the suspension earlier today (Friday). He said: “I have decided to suspend Mr Noble from his role pending the outcome of the IOPC’s investigation.
“Suspension is a neutral act, to enable an independent and thorough investigation to take place. It has no bearing on any indication of guilt and should not be seen as such.
“I know this announcement will come as a shock to many across Staffordshire, especially our hard-working officers and staff, but it is right that allegations of this serious nature are dealt with consistently and investigated thoroughly and properly.”