Martin Surl

Martin Surl is the Independent Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner. He is the first person to hold the post and was elected on 15 November 2012.

Surl was elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire in November 2012 beating candidates from the three main political parties. As a former senior police officer he has worked at home and abroad in the field of policing, crime reduction and counter terrorism for more than 30 years.

Born and brought up in Gloucestershire, Surl joined Gloucestershire Constabulary in May 1980 and went on to serve in most areas of the county in uniform and as a detective rising to the rank of Superintendent in 2000. In 2001 he was seconded to the Ministry of Justice in Estonia to help modernise its police service and develop crime reduction partnerships. Having retained links for many years, Surl was awarded the Order of Merit in 2005 in recognition of his work to introduce child protection measures into the country.

In 2007, he was seconded to the Association of Chief Police Officers, Terrorism and Allied Matters branch (ACPO, TAM) to help set up the UK’s policing anti-terrorism network. Surl's stated aim was to cut crime and to make Gloucestershire a safer and even more pleasant place to live, work and enjoy.

He was re-elected on 5 May 2016 for another 4-year term.