00:00Well the message from New South Wales Premier Chris Minns is that leadership potential bests
00:07a clean record in the hunt for the new New South Wales Police Commissioner. Veteran Officer
00:14Mal Lanyon currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner of New South Wales Police has
00:19been picked to take over current outgoing Commissioner Karen Webb when she formally
00:24ends the role on September 30. Deputy Commissioner Lanyon bested the two other
00:29candidates Paul Pisanos and Peter Thirtle in the race for the top job. Commissioner Lanyon
00:35joined the force in 1987 and was promoted to Deputy Commissioner in January of 2019. He
00:41was previously the head of the state's Crime Command and played a pivotal role in establishing
00:46the state's Domestic Violence Command. Ahead of taking the top role he thanked outgoing
00:52Commissioner Karen Webb who announced her resignation in May.
00:57This is one of the greatest responsibilities in the public service and I take it on with
01:01humility and a deep sense of duty. I want to thank Premier Minns and Minister Catley for
01:07placing their faith in me. I accept this role knowing how important the mission is for every
01:14New South Wales resident. Can I acknowledge Commissioner Karen Webb on her distinguished 38 year career
01:21in the police force. She leaves a legacy of achievement as the first woman to lead the New South Wales
01:26police force and as a commissioner who delivered enduring reforms.
01:31But it wasn't all smooth sailing to the top job for the incoming police commissioner. In 2022 amid a
01:38previous tilt for the role reports emerged that the previous year he had become aggressive towards
01:44paramedics following an alcohol-fuelled police event in Goulburn. There was also a separate incident in
01:502023 where Mr Lanyon brought his wife and two friends on board a police vessel during the 2023 New Year's Eve fireworks displays
02:02on Sydney Harbour. Premier Chris Minns addressed both issues. He said that it wasn't Mr Lanyon's record
02:10that left him as the candidate chosen to take over the new commissioner's role. It was his leadership potential
02:16over the last 38 years. This decision was not made based on who had the mistake-free perfect record.
02:24I want to make it clear that for me it was based on who I believe should be in the commissioner's chair
02:30on New South Wales' worst day when the public's in danger and the New South Wales police force needs
02:36exceptional leadership. Since April of 2024 Mr Lanyon has been seconded to the New South Wales
02:44reconstruction authority. Now the outgoing commissioner Karen Webb is formally to leave the role on September 30
02:52with Mr Lanyon to formally take over the role in early October.
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