David Gardner named preferred candidate for Staffordshire Chief Constable
David Gardner, currently Acting Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, has been named as the preferred candidate to become Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police.
Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams announced the appointment on Friday (16 October), subject to ratification by the Police, Fire and Crime Panel.
Gardner has held the acting chief constable role at Warwickshire since April 2026. His previous experience includes roles across local policing and protective services, as well as secondments to the Home Office and National Crime Agency.
He is also an experienced firearms and public order commander and has led change programmes at Warwickshire, including the modernisation of the force’s digital capabilities.
Adams said Gardner brought the strategic insight and leadership needed to take the force forward amid reforms across policing, community safety, health and local government.
He said he looked forward to working with Gardner to deliver the priorities in his Police and Crime Plan, strengthen local response and neighbourhood policing, and maintain public safety across Staffordshire.
The recruitment process included a stakeholder panel interview involving police staff, staff associations, external partners and a local community representative, followed by a formal interview with representatives from the College of Policing, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and Staffordshire County Council.
Adams also thanked Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs, who has led Staffordshire Police since August 2025.