Police chief suspended over 'allegations about conduct'

'Additional claims' follow referral to IOPC

- Dave Knapper [e-mail]

STAFFORDSHIRE Police’s chief constable has been suspended following ‘allegations about his conduct.

The decision to suspend Chris Noble follows a referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) last year. Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams has confirmed Mr Noble, below, has been suspended.

An investigation is ‘ongoing’ while ‘additional allegations’ have now been made against him. The Commissioner's office named Mr Noble as chief constable in 2021. At the time, he had been a police officer for more than 20 years, having served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

He was also Commander for Belfast City Policing District, with responsibility for overt counter-terrorism policing, local response and neighbourhood policing, along with public order and civil contingencies.

He swapped his role as Humberside Police’s assistant chief constable to take the top job in Staffordshire. Now Mr Adams says he is working to name a temporary chief constable.