Suspended chief constable resigns ahead of gross misconduct hearing
The chief constable of Staffordshire Police has resigned from his position one day before a gross misconduct hearing was due to begin.
Christopher Noble, who was appointed to the job in December 2021, was suspended in August last year after the Independent Office for Police Conduct opened an investigation into allegations about his conduct.
He had been accused of breaching police standards in three areas: a lack of integrity, a lack of diligence and discreditable conduct.
Mr Noble began his career with the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, becoming commander for Belfast City Policing District, with responsibility for overt counter-terrorism policing, local response and neighbourhood policing, and public order and civil contingencies.
He was assistant chief constable at Humberside Police before moving to Staffordshire.
In a statement Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams confirmed that he had received a letter of resignation and that he accepted it with immediate effect. He said the misconduct hearing would continue as planned under former officer provisions. He added: “Becky Riggs will remain as Staffordshire Police’s Acting Chief Constable.”
Staffordshire Police said that it would not be appropriate to comment due to ongoing misconduct proceedings.
In a statement released earlier this year, the IOPC said: “The chair of the panel has directed that no additional information relating to the detail of the allegations can be released at this time. We are continuing to investigate other allegations relating to Mr Noble. Given the sensitivity of those matters, for operational reasons, no further information can be provided at this time.”