First female police commissioner of New South Wales celebrated upon retirement

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The first woman to be commissioner of the NSW Police Force has been symbolically farewelled at a ceremony in Goulburn today. Karen Webb says she's proud of the legacy she leaves behind after she stood down just three years into her five-year term. Premier Chris Minns says a decision on who will be her successor is not far away.

Transcript

00:00A farewell salute for a history-making top cop.

00:07New South Wales' first female police commissioner, Karen Webb,

00:11received a ceremonial send-off in Goulburn.

00:15There had to be a first, and I'm fortunate that I was the first,

00:20but I hope I'm not the last.

00:22Karen Webb has been a true trailblazer.

00:25She will be remembered as a reformist.

00:30It marks the end of one 38-year-long career,

00:34but also the start of 300 more,

00:37with the largest class of probationary constables in 13 years

00:42today graduating from Police Academy.

00:48Among the latest recruits is Constable Amy van der Schacht,

00:52a former retail worker who was inspired to join

00:55after she witnessed the Bondi Junction stabbings.

00:58I remember feeling completely helpless.

01:00It was then that kind of solidified my decision

01:02to pursue a career in the police

01:04and be the person helping rather than feeling helpless.

01:07As these fresh-faced officers get set to hit the streets,

01:11the question of who will be their next boss hangs in the air.

01:15I mean, with sport for choice, there's some fantastic candidates there.

01:18One of those with his hat in the ring is from the same class

01:22as the departing commissioner.

01:24It's an incredibly important job,

01:26and I think it's now in the hands of government.

01:28Signing off on her career where it began,

01:31Karen Webb's last act with the force passing on the torch

01:35to the next generation of New South Wales Police,

01:38and passing on some words of wisdom to whoever her successor may be.

01:43Don't look too far ahead because you need to master the job you have.

01:47Grounded advice from a cop on her final beat.

01:50Signing off on her final beat.

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