Chief Supt Stephen Martin is being promoted to ACC in charge of Operational Support

A POLICE chief at the forefront of trying to stem the tide of dissident republican terrorism in recent years has got a promotion.

Derry’s police commander Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin is to leave the city next month to become Assistant Chief Constable in charge of Operational Support.

Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin became PSNI Commander for G District – Magherafelt, Limavady, Foyle and Strabane – in June 2009.

Since then, he and his officers have been at the forefront of trying to stifle the activities of dissident republican gangs in Derry.

Earlier this year, a massive undercover surveillance operation thwarted a mortar bomb attack on Chief Supt Martin’s place of work at Strand Road PSNI station.

And a fortnight ago he and his officers co-ordinated a huge search operation for wanted murder suspect Kieran McLaughlin.

Earlier this year, he completed a Strategic Command Course in Bramshill which prepared selected police officers for promotion to the most senior ranks in the service and resulted in him being able to apply for the post of Assistant Chief Constable.

The SDLP’s Thomas Conway, chairperson of Derry’s District Policing Partnership (DPP), paid tribute to CS Martin’s “hard work and professionalism.”

Cllr Conway said: “I’m sure that his positive and constructive working manner will continue to serve him well in his future career.”

Chief Superintendent Martin is to be succeeded as Derry commander by Superintendent Stephen Cargin who will fill the post on a temporary basis to February next when a permanent successor will be named.