Lt. Kent Martin of the University Police Department has been appointed to interim police chief, according to a press release from Eastern.

Martin, a 19-year veteran of UPD, replaces John Hatfill, who retired on May 31. Hatfill replaced Adam Due, who retired on Dec. 31.

“I embrace the opportunity to lead the police department, and I am looking forward to building and strengthening relationships across campus and in the city of Charleston,” Martin said.

Since his arrival on campus, he has served as a patrol officer, detective, field training officer, evidence custodian, SWAT team member and juvenile police officer.  He was promoted to lieutenant in February 2016.

Prior to coming to work for Eastern, Martin was a member of the Kansas Police Department, first as a patrol officer in 1993, then as chief of police.  He is a 1992 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  In 2013, he earned his master’s degree in technology from Eastern.