The former Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police has been found guilty of gross misconduct and told he would have been sacked without notice if he hadn’t already resigned.

A police misconduct panel today found Chris Noble had breached Standards of Professional Behaviour.

A misconduct panel, chaired by His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Kathryn Stone found that the breaches amounted to gross misconduct.

Mr Noble resigned on Tuesday, on the eve of the two-day misconduct hearing.

Reporting restrictions remain in place around the hearing at Yarnfield Park Conference Centre in Staffordshire, which Mr Noble did not attend.

Following the hearing, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was continuing to investigate other allegations relating to Mr Noble ‘both in and outside his policing duties’ – and revealed it had set up a dedicated email address and phone number for anyone who would like to speak to our investigators about the case.

The gross misconduct finding comes just weeks after a report by the Police Leadership Commission (PLC) concluded standards in the upper echelons of policing in England and Wales fall short of the consistently high standards the public and police officers deserve.

Until his resignation, Mr Noble, 52, had been one of eight serving or former chief constables under misconduct investigation or who were awaiting linked proceedings.

Mr Noble was suspended from his role in August last year after serious concerns were raised about his behaviour outside of work.

The IOPC said at the time it was also probing allegations that Mr Noble shared confidential information without a policing purpose.

In March it emerged the watchdog had launched two further probes – one of which related to his time as assistant chief constable of Humberside Police.

Chris Noble was appointed Staffordshire Chief Constable in October 2021 and resigned on Tuesday

A spokesman for the watchdog said at the time: ‘The investigations relate to behaviour while on duty and/or on police premises while serving as assistant chief constable at Humberside Police in 2021, and during his time as chief constable with Staffordshire Police in 2024 and then in 2025.’

Today, Rachel Watson, the watchdog’s Director General, said she supported one of the PLC report’s recommendations to overhaul the promotion processes for senior police officers.

She said: ‘I do believe most chief officers do a good job in challenging circumstances. 

‘But too often our investigations are uncovering longstanding, unreported concerns about their behaviour. Concerns need to be raised and heard long before someone is considered suitable for appointment to the chief officer rank.

‘Police leaders set the culture for police forces so it’s vital the right people occupy chief officer positions – people with effective leadership skills and who come from diverse backgrounds, including experience away from policing. 

‘People should not reach chief officer ranks simply because their face ‘fits’.’

Mr Noble submitted his letter of resignation to Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime Ben Adams. 

Mr Adams said today: ‘Public confidence in policing is vital, so all allegations of misconduct must be fully and independently investigated. That process must apply to everyone, regardless of rank or status.

‘Now that this independent process has concluded, Staffordshire Police can move forward. 

‘The challenges facing the force, including those identified by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services in its recent report, remain my focus.

‘I will now take steps to bring the permanence and stability needed in the force’s leadership, so we can continue improving services for the communities of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.’

Mr Adams said last year his decision to suspend Mr Noble was a ‘neutral act’. 

He 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.’

Mr 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.’

Mr Noble will now be included on the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing him being employed or appointed by a police force or other specified law enforcement body.

*The IOPC can be contacted on 0300 303 5734 or operationchilcombe@policeconduct.gov.uk in relation to the Chris Noble investigation.