Oxford Police Chief Mike Martin is stepping down after nearly six years of running the police department.

Martin says his last day will be Jan. 31, 2013.

Mayor Pat Patterson has formed a citizens' committee, including three aldermen, to help find a new police chief.

Patterson says the city will begin advertising for candidates in about two weeks.

Martin was named police chief in September of 2007 after serving as interim chief when the previous chief, Steve Bramlett, retired that June. Martin had been assistant chief under Bramlett.

Martin has more than 30 years of public safety experience, all of which has been with the city of Oxford.

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