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Staffordshire police chief suspended after concerns raised about off-duty conduct Staffordshire police chief suspended after concerns raised about off-duty conduct
(about 2 hours later)
IOPC also investigating Chris Noble over allegations he shared confidential information without policing purposeIOPC also investigating Chris Noble over allegations he shared confidential information without policing purpose
A police chief has been suspended after serious concerns were raised about his behaviour outside of work.A police chief has been suspended after serious concerns were raised about his behaviour outside of work.
The Staffordshire police chief constable, Chris Noble, is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for the matters, which pre-date his employment with the force. The Staffordshire police chief constable, Chris Noble, who denies any wrongdoing, is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for the matters, which predate his employment with the force.
The watchdog said it was also investigating allegations that Noble shared confidential information without a policing purpose.The watchdog said it was also investigating allegations that Noble shared confidential information without a policing purpose.
The Staffordshire police and fire commissioner, Ben Adams, said his decision to suspend Noble was a “neutral act” and had “no bearing on any indication of guilt”.The Staffordshire police and fire commissioner, Ben Adams, said his decision to suspend Noble was a “neutral act” and had “no bearing on any indication of guilt”.
Adams said: “Public confidence in the police service is vital so all allegations of misconduct must be fully and independently investigated. In the interests of the public, Staffordshire Police and the chief constable himself, I have decided to suspend Mr Noble from his role pending the outcome of the IOPC’s investigation. Adams said: “Public confidence in the police service is vital, so all allegations of misconduct must be fully and independently investigated. In the interests of the public, Staffordshire police and the chief constable himself, I have decided to suspend Mr Noble from his role pending the outcome of the IOPC’s investigation.
“Suspension is a neutral act, to enable an independent and thorough investigation to take place. It has no bearing on any indication of guilt and should not be seen as such.”“Suspension is a neutral act, to enable an independent and thorough investigation to take place. It has no bearing on any indication of guilt and should not be seen as such.”
Adams added: “I know that this announcement will come as a shock to many across Staffordshire, especially our hard-working officers and staff, but it is right that allegations of this serious nature are dealt with consistently and investigated properly and thoroughly.”Adams added: “I know that this announcement will come as a shock to many across Staffordshire, especially our hard-working officers and staff, but it is right that allegations of this serious nature are dealt with consistently and investigated properly and thoroughly.”
The police and fire commissioner said his team was working to identify a temporary chief constable. The commissioner said his team was working to identify a temporary chief constable.
In a statement, an IOPC spokesperson said: “We received mandatory referrals from Staffordshire’s Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner on 30 April, 27 June and 29 July this year in relation to Staffordshire police chief constable Chris Noble. In a statement, an IOPC spokesperson said: “We received mandatory referrals from Staffordshire’s office of the police, fire and crime commissioner on 30 April, 27 June and 29 July this year in relation to Staffordshire police chief constable Chris Noble.
“The referrals relate to reports we’ve received raising serious concerns over Mr Noble’s behaviour outside of his work duties. The matters pre-date Mr Noble’s appointment as chief constable for Staffordshire police. “The referrals relate to reports we’ve received raising serious concerns over Mr Noble’s behaviour outside of his work duties. The matters predate Mr Noble’s appointment as chief constable for Staffordshire police.
“The IOPC is also separately investigating Mr Noble over allegations he shared confidential information without proper policing purpose. That followed a referral in 2024 from the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire. “The IOPC is also separately investigating Mr Noble over allegations he shared confidential information without proper policing purpose. That followed a referral in 2024 from the office of the police, fire and crime commissioner for Staffordshire. Our enquiries are ongoing.”
“Our enquiries are ongoing.” A spokesperson from the Chief Police Officers’ Staff Association said: “Chief constable Chris Noble completely and categorically denies any wrongdoing and will continue to cooperate fully with the IOPC investigation.”