Mal Lanyon chosen as next NSW Police Force commissioner

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Veteran officer Mal Lanyon has been picked to replace Karen Webb as the next NSW police commissioner. He will step into the role next month after Commissioner Webb's term ends on September 30.

Transcript

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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