Chris Noble was appointed to Humberside Police in 2017 before going on to become chief constable of Staffordshire Police in October 2021
Chris Noble pictured in 2019, when he was assistant chief constable of Humberside Police.(Image: Jon Corken/GrimsbyLive)
A senior police officer is facing an investigation into his conduct at the time he was operating at the top of Humberside Police. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IPOC) – the watchdog which oversees complaints in England and Wales – was already investigating Chris Noble and has now launched two further probes – one of which relates to his time as assistant chief constable of Humberside Police.
Initial investigations into Mr Noble – but not related to his time at Humberside Police – followed concerns about his behaviour outside of work, and led to his suspension last August from his current role as chief constable of Staffordshire Police. There was also separate scrutiny of allegations that Mr Noble shared confidential information without a policing purpose.
The investigations came after referrals from Staffordshire’s Office of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner in April, June and July last year. At the time the IOPC action came to light, the Chief Police Officers’ Staff Association (CPOSA) said Mr Noble “completely and categorically denies any wrongdoing”, and that the association would continue to co-operate fully with the IOPC investigation.
Now, two further conduct investigations have been launched into Mr Noble. A CPOSA spokesperson said: “Mr Noble continues to engage fully with the IOPC investigation.”
An IOPC spokesperson, said: “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.
“Mr Noble has been served notice that he is under investigation for potential gross misconduct. Our investigation will consider if he may have breached police professional standards relating to discreditable conduct and duties and responsibilities.
“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.
“We are continuing to investigate Mr Noble in relation to separate allegations that were referred to us by Staffordshire’s Office for the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner in April, June and July last year. Those referrals relate to reports that raised serious concerns over Mr Noble’s behaviour outside of his work duties.
“We are also 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 & Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire.
“Our enquiries into all matters are ongoing.”
Mr Noble was appointed to the Humberside force in 2017 and left in December 2021 when he took up the top ranking job at Staffordshire Police. Staffordshire police and fire commissioner Ben Adams previously said his decision to suspend Mr Noble was a “neutral act” and has “no bearing on any indication of guilt”.
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