Kent Martin named UPD police chief
August 31, 2016
Police chief candidate Kent Martin, who has been serving as interim chief of the University Police Department since June, speaks at an open interviewing session in the Martinsville Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Martin addressed how he would outreach to the campus and Charleston community during this session.
Interim police chief Kent Martin has been appointed the permanent police chief of the University Police Department.
Martin, who has been working for the UPD for 19 years, will start in his position on Sept. 1.
He is replacing former police chief Adam Due, who retired Dec. 31, 2015 after 12 years of service.
Martin has served as a patrol officer, detective, field training officer, evidence custodian, SWAT team member and juvenile police officer since he came on campus in 1997.
According to a press release sent by the university, Martin said there will be some personnel moves and he will continue to review departmental policies for potential revisions and upgrades.
Lynette Drake, interim associate vice president for student affairs, announced the appointment
“(Martin) is well respected within the local law enforcement community and has worked collaboratively through Eastern’s police department with the city, county and state,” Drake said in the release.
During his open session interview for the position, Martin said he has different outreach programs in mind to connect with Eastern’s community.
“We’re planning to start small and hopefully we’ll be successful and grow from there,” he said.
