Acting chief of Warwickshire appointed permanent chief of Staffordshire

Staffordshire PCC Ben Adams today announced David Gardner as the new Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police.

The appointment of Mr Gardner, who is currently the Acting Chief Constable at Warwickshire Police, will now need to be ratified by the Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Panel ‘at the earliest opportunity’, the PCC says.

The recruitment process involved a stakeholder panel interview made up of staff members, staff associations, external partners and a member of the local community. This was 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.

Mr Adams said: “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. 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.”

Mr Gardner joins from Warwickshire Police, where he has held the role of Acting Chief Constable since April 2026. He has worked in roles across Local Policing and Protective Services, and has also worked nationally on secondments to the Home Office and National Crime Agency. He is an experienced Firearms and Public Order Commander and has led significant change programmes within Warwickshire Police, including the recent modernisation of the force’s digital capabilities.

The PCC says he would like to thank Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs for leading the force since August 2025.

Staffordshire Police Federation Chair Matt Smith said: “Following what was clearly a thorough and competitive selection process, I wish David every success as he takes on this important leadership role.”

Matt has already met with the new Chief Constable and found him “very warm and personable”. adding: “I believe he has worked closely with the Federation in Warwickshire, and he said he was keen for that to continue in Staffordshire.”

Matt thanked the current Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs for the “exceptional job” she has done over the past 15 months. He said: “Becky has led the force through a challenging period with professionalism, dedication and integrity, and her contribution has been greatly valued by officers and staff alike.

“We thank Becky for her leadership during her time in the role, and look forward to working constructively with both her and David in the months and years ahead.”