New chief constable for Staffordshire announced

David Gardner has been announced as the new chief constable for Staffordshire Police.

Gardner, currently acting chief constable at Warwickshire Police, was named by the county's police, fire and crime commissioner Ben Adams as his preferred candidate for the top job.

He replaces Chris Noble, who was sacked in July after he was found to have committed gross misconduct.

None of the allegations against Noble, which involved his time at Humberside Police as well as in Staffordshire, can be reported because of restrictions set by a misconduct panel.

The Staffordshire force has been led by Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs since August 2025.

The appointment of Gardner followed a "rigorous recruitment process" according to Adams.

This included a panel interview made up of staff members, staff associations, external partners and a member of the local community.

That was then followed by a formal interview with representatives from the College of Policing, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and Staffordshire County Council.

Gardner has been acting chief constable of the Warwickshire force since April 2026, having previously been deputy chief constable.

He has worked previously on secondments to the Home Office and National Crime Agency and has experience as a firearms and public order commander and has led the modernisation of the Warwickshire force's digital capabilities.

Adams said Gardner brough "the strategic insight, vision and leadership needed to take the force forward".

He added: "I look forward to working closely with him to deliver the priorities set out in my Police & Crime Plan, strengthen local response and neighbourhood policing and ensure Staffordshire remains a safe place to live, work and visit."

The decision will be ratified at a forthcoming meeting of senior leaders.

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