Two new assistant chief constables appointed at Staffordshire Police
Staffordshire Police has appointed two new assistant chief constables.
Chief Superintendent Paul Talbot takes up his post on Monday (April 21) and Caroline Marsh, currently temporary assistant chief constable at West Mercia Police, will begin her role with the force in a few months.
The appointments fill two assistant chief constable vacancies following the promotion of Becky Riggs to deputy chief constable and the retirement of Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison.
Chief Constable Chris Noble said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Caroline and Paul to the rank of assistant chief constable.
“Both officers bring a wealth of skills and experience to support our journey to be an outstanding police force.
“Caroline’s focus on crime, public protection and vulnerability and Paul’s experience in local neighbourhood and response policing emphasises our commitment to our force priorities – local responsive policing and an enhanced focus on vulnerability.
“I look forward to welcoming them into their new roles to deliver positive improvements for the communities of Staffordshire.”
Ms Marsh joined West Midlands Police in 1999, working primarily in detective roles before transferring to South Yorkshire Police in 2017.
She moved to Northamptonshire Police in 2018 and transferred back to West Midlands Police in 2021 where she was head of Public Protection and then temporary assistant chief constable. Ms Marsh moved to West Mercia Police in 2024 as temporary assistant chief constable for Crime and Vulnerability.
Chief Supt Talbot joined West Midlands Police in 1997 serving in Walsall and Wolverhampton in neighbourhood and response roles. He also served in traffic and regional crime, working on operations to target vehicle crime across the West Midlands.
Chief Supt Talbot worked with the then Central Motorways Policing Group, as investigations lead, so was already working across Staffordshire and the West Midlands when he decided to make the move back to his home county of Staffordshire in 2017.
As a chief inspector, he was the local policing commander in Tamworth. On promotion to superintendent in April 2021, he was the head of criminal justice and head of contact services. He was promoted to chief superintendent in November 2023 and has been in the role of head of operations and contact since.
Ms Marsh said: “It is an enormous privilege to be appointed assistant chief constable in Staffordshire Police.
“Having lived in Staffordshire for more than 20 years, delivering an outstanding service to our communities will be a personal as well as professional ambition.
“The force has already shown me that it lives up to its caring values in the warm welcome it has offered me, and I look forward to working with a talented and committed team.”