ACC Chris Noble named as new chief constable of Staffordshire Police

Mr Noble has been a police officer for more than 21 years, serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Before moving to Humberside, he was 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 is also the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for protests nationally and has most recently advised several police forces on how best to manage and police the ongoing M25 protests.

Mr Noble said: “I want to thank the commissioner for the trust he is putting in me. I look forward to serving the people, officers and staff of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as their chief constable, and working with partners to keep our communities safe.”

Staffordshire’s police, fire and rescue and crime commissioner Ben Adams said: “I was impressed with the calibre of candidates for Staffordshire’s chief constable, who underwent a robust process to ensure we got the very best person to lead the force forward and keep the people of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent safe. Chris was the panel’s and my clear choice for the role.

“I’m confident Chris has the knowledge, passion and experience needed to lead Staffordshire Police during these challenging times, meeting the constantly evolving face of crime and other threats, and keeping our communities safe from harm.

“I would like to pay tribute to the current T/Chief Constable Emma Barnett for all the hard work and dedication she has given to date to Staffordshire Police. In particular, I thank her for her leadership in the last few months since the former chief constable retired. Emma has been pivotal in ensuring the force is ready to take on whatever policing challenges the future brings.”

The interview process was spread over two days, where all four shortlisted candidates presented to stakeholders and staff panels and were then questioned by them on the first day, before then being interviewed by the commissioner’s selection panel on the second day.

Ms Barnett will continue to lead the force in the interim period until Mr Noble’s appointment is ratified at a special meeting of the Police, Fire and and Crime Panel on October 12.