 On 8 February 1988 he was promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent and became Divisional Commander of the RUC's "H" Division, which was based in the town of Armagh and encompassed the areas of South Armagh and South Down which contained some of the most staunchly Irish republican areas of Northern Ireland.He was well respected within the force and had been commended twice and highly recommended another two times.He was a recipient of the RUC Service Medal and the Police Long-Service and Good Conduct Medal.