New permanent deputy chief constable appointed for PSNI
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has chosen a new Deputy Chief Constable but one of the candidates is set to appeal the decision.Mark Hamilton, who had overseen District Policing Command in the PSNI, has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Constable.
But his predecessor, former Acting Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin, has revealed he is taking legal advice on the recruitment process as he was not shortlisted for the role. Mr Martin, who was appointed as a temporary to the post in August 2018, will leave the force this month.
Confirmation of the role will bring a level of stability at the top of the force which has had to contend with political instability due to the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The force currently has three temporary Assistant Chief Constables and a temporary Director of Finance and Support Services.
Since February 2016, Mr Hamilton has been Head of Legacy and Justice Department and previously was the Interim Director of Human Resources.
He began his policing career in 1994 and policed the Belfast and Armagh areas. He was Commander of Urban Region Operational Command Unit with responsibility for Roads Policing, Tactical Support Groups, Belfast Regional Control and Level II Crime.
In March 2009 he was promoted to Chief Superintendent and took over the role of District Commander, ‘A’ District, North and West Belfast. In April 2012 he took up role as Deputy Head of Service Improvement Department where he had responsibility for Policing with The Community Branch, Criminal Justice Branch, Public Protection Branch, Anti-Corruption and Vetting, Discipline Branch, Firearms and Explosives Branch and Custody Healthcare. In July 2013, Mr Hamilton was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable, Service Improvement Department. In July 2014, he took on the role of NPCC Hate Crime Lead to promote Hate Crime standards and awareness across the UK.
He has a BA (Hons) Degree in French and Latin from Trinity College, Dublin; a Masters in Social Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Queens University, Belfast; a Masters in Science in Police Leadership and Management from Leicester University; and a Masters in Human Rights Law at Queens University, Belfast.
Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Mark Lindsay, welcomed the appointment: “Mark Hamilton will hit the ground running. He is familiar with all the issues currently confronting the organisation and I know he will work tirelessly and professionally to address them.
“The PFNI looks forward to working closely with him for the benefit of all officers and, of course, this entire community. Experience gained over his twenty-five year career will prove invaluable and on behalf of the PFNI, I wish him well in his new and challenging post.”
Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “Mark brings a wealth of experience to the role as well as an understanding of policing in Northern Ireland and the challenges facing the PSNI.
“This is a significant time for the PSNI with the two top posts filled within a matter of months. I look forward to working with the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and their senior team to continue to build a safe, fair and just community where we respect the law and each other.”
The recruitment process was not smooth: Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers resigned from the five-person panel over its approach.
Ms Long praised Mr Martin for his commitment in 34 years of service: “I want to thank Stephen Martin for his service in acting as Temporary Deputy Chief Constable.”
News Archive
- December 2023 (3)
- November 2023 (5)
- October 2023 (4)
- September 2023 (5)
- August 2023 (4)
- July 2023 (3)
- June 2023 (5)
- May 2023 (2)
- April 2023 (5)
- March 2023 (3)
- February 2023 (7)
- January 2023 (11)
- December 2022 (6)
- November 2022 (5)
- October 2022 (5)
- September 2022 (6)
- August 2022 (2)
- July 2022 (11)
- June 2022 (8)
- May 2022 (11)
- April 2022 (8)
- March 2022 (3)
- February 2022 (5)
- January 2022 (12)
- December 2021 (1)
- November 2021 (9)
- October 2021 (4)
- September 2021 (10)
- August 2021 (9)
- July 2021 (12)
- June 2021 (4)
- May 2021 (11)
- April 2021 (14)
- March 2021 (14)
- February 2021 (19)
- January 2021 (18)
- December 2020 (6)
- November 2020 (12)
- October 2020 (14)
- September 2020 (15)
- August 2020 (16)
- July 2020 (16)
- June 2020 (18)
- May 2020 (22)
- April 2020 (18)
- March 2020 (23)
- February 2020 (20)
- January 2020 (4)
- December 2019 (5)
- November 2019 (6)
- October 2019 (5)
- September 2019 (6)
- August 2019 (8)
- July 2019 (6)
- June 2019 (8)
- May 2019 (8)
- April 2019 (8)
- March 2019 (10)
- February 2019 (9)
- January 2019 (9)
- December 2018 (9)
- November 2018 (12)
- October 2018 (8)
- September 2018 (7)
- August 2018 (11)
- July 2018 (7)
- June 2018 (9)
- May 2018 (9)
- April 2018 (12)
- March 2018 (10)
- February 2018 (8)
- January 2018 (5)
- December 2017 (6)
- November 2017 (4)
- October 2017 (3)
- September 2017 (10)
- August 2017 (5)
- July 2017 (5)
- June 2017 (6)
- May 2017 (6)
- April 2017 (2)
- March 2017 (3)
- February 2017 (4)
- January 2017 (1)
- December 2016 (3)
- November 2016 (4)
- October 2016 (1)
- September 2016 (4)
- August 2016 (4)
- July 2016 (1)
- June 2016 (5)
- May 2016 (3)
- April 2016 (1)
- March 2016 (3)
- February 2016 (3)
- January 2016 (3)
- December 2015 (3)
- November 2015 (3)
- October 2015 (3)
- September 2015 (2)
- August 2015 (1)
- July 2015 (11)
- June 2015 (1)