Staffordshire Police announces new chief constable following Chris Noble scandal

David Gardner will be the next chief constable of Staffordshire Police, it has been announced.

Mr Gardner, at present the acting chief constable of Warwickshire Police, has been named by police and crime commissioner Ben Adams as his preferred candidate to replace Chris Noble, who resigned in July ahead of a misconduct hearing.

The appointment will now need to be formally ratified by the county’s police, fire and rescue and crime panel at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Adams said Mr Gardner had been appointed following a rigorous selection process, involving members of the public, staff, as well as formal interviews.

“He brings the strategic insight, vision and leadership needed to take the force forward, with significant reform underway across policing, community safety, health and local government,” he said.

“I look forward to working closely with him to deliver the priorities set out in my police and crime plan, strengthen local response and neighbourhood policing and ensure Staffordshire remains a safe place to live, work and visit.”

Mr Gardner took up the role of acting chief constable in Warwickshire in April this year.

He has previously worked nationally on secondments to the Home Office and the National Crime Agency.

As an experienced firearms and public order commander, he led significant change programmes within Warwickshire Police, including the recent modernisation of the force's digital capabilities, said Mr Adams.

Mr Noble was suspended in August last year, amid allegations of misconduct prior to him taking up the role at Staffordshire. He resigned on July 29 this year, hours before a misconduct hearing was due to take place.

The hearing concluded that Mr Noble had breached standards of public conduct, and would have been sacked had he not resigned.

Mr Adams thanked acting chief constable Becky Riggs for leading the force since Mr Noble’s suspension.