Commissioner confirms new Chief for Staffordshire Police

Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams today (12 October) confirmed the appointment of Chris Noble as the new Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, after the decision was ratified at a special meeting of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel.

Chris Noble, currently Assistant Chief Constable at Humberside, has been a police officer for over 25 years, serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland before moving to Humberside Police in 2017.

He has served in a number of police leadership roles, as commander for Belfast City Policing District and as the chief officer responsible for specialist crime and operations in Humberside.

He is also the NPCC lead for protests nationally and has most recently supported several police forces on how to manage and police the ongoing M25 protests.

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams, said: ‘I am grateful to the Police, Fire and Crime Panel for their deliberations today and am delighted to have Chris’ appointment confirmed.

‘I’m confident Chris has the knowledge, passion and experience needed to lead Staffordshire Police during these challenging times, and will work with me in delivering policing plans to meet the constantly evolving face of crime and other threats, and protect our communities from harm.

‘I’d like to pay tribute to the current Temporary Chief Constable, Emma Barnett, for all the hard work and dedication she has given to date in Staffordshire Police. In particular, I thank her for her leadership in the last few months since the former Chief Constable retired. Emma has been pivotal in ensuring the force is ready to take on whatever policing challenges the future brings.’

Mr Noble said: ‘It is a privilege to be appointed as the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police and to take on the significant responsibilities the position brings. I am committed to serving with our staff, partners and communities and delivering a police service which everyone in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can be proud of.

‘Having met many excellent and passionate officers and staff over the last few months, I know they value Staffordshire’s long history of being a local, creative and well-performing force. It is my clear intention to ensure that we, the staff and officers of Staffordshire Police, continue with that tradition.

‘The last 18 months have been challenging for the public, the police and other agencies but I look forward to improving our local policing service by putting communities, partnerships, and most importantly victims of crime, at the heart of everything we do.’

Emma Barnett will continue to lead Staffordshire Police in this interim period until Mr Noble is able to assume the post in the coming months.