Police chief faces further misconduct probes

A suspended police chief has been notified of two further investigations into his conduct, the police watchdog has confirmed.

Chris Noble, chief constable of Staffordshire Police, has been suspended since August amid Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) inquiries.

On Tuesday, the IOPC said it had opened two more investigations relating to his behaviour while on duty or on police premises during his current role in 2024 and 2025, as well as while he was assistant chief constable of Humberside Police in 2021.

The Chief Police Officers' Staff Association previously said Noble "completely and categorically" denied any wrongdoing and would co-operate with the investigation.

An IOPC spokesperson said Noble had been served notice that he was under investigation for potential gross misconduct.

"Our investigation will consider if he may have breached police professional standards relating to discreditable conduct, duties and responsibilities," they said.

"The serving of notices does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow. At the end of our investigations we will decide if he has a case to answer and should face disciplinary proceedings."

Staffordshire's police, fire and crime commissioner Ben Adams suspended Noble in August after separate allegations were referred to the IOPC in April, June and July.

The IOPC said those referrals related to reports that raised serious concerns over his behaviour outside of his work duties.

An investigation was also being carried out into allegations he shared confidential information without proper policing purpose.

"Our inquiries into all matters are ongoing," the IOPC added.

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