The chief constable of Staffordshire Police has resigned, ahead of a gross misconduct hearing regarding his behaviour.
Chris Noble was suspended in August amid inquiries by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), with the watchdog confirming in March that it had opened two more investigations regarding his behaviour.
Noble resigned on Tuesday via a letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, Ben Adams.
The misconduct hearing began on Wednesday morning in Noble’s absence.
An IOPC spokesperson previously 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 at the time.
Noble was chosen to lead Staffordshire Police after the retirement of the previous chief constable in 2021.
Prior to this, he was the assistant chief constable of Humberside Police.
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