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.”