00:00He was tipped as the favourite and now Mal Lanyon's long-held ambition is finally realised.
00:08This is one of the greatest responsibilities in the public service
00:11and I take it on with humility and a deep sense of duty.
00:14After months of speculation the Deputy Police Commissioner received the tap on the shoulder
00:19to replace Commissioner Karen Webb who retired after 18 months left on a five-year term.
00:25He is the exceptional leader that the New South Wales Police Force needs right now.
00:30Mal Lanyon is 38 years into his policing career.
00:34The former head of the State Crime Command and current CEO of the Reconstruction Authority,
00:39Lanyon beat out six other candidates for the role.
00:42One of them was Acting Commissioner Peter Thurtel who said the force was now in safe hands.
00:48The opposition is not so sure. The Police Minister agrees.
00:52It is said to have been an open secret that the Police Minister did not want Mal Lanyon
00:56and her body language today certainly didn't contradict that.
00:59Scuttlebutt.
01:01And nobody's actually ever asked me quite frankly.
01:03Mal and I have a good relationship and we will continue to.
01:06But just like last time the role was up for grabs,
01:09Lanyon's previous controversies were back in the spotlight.
01:12I have made mistakes in the past and I've been open about them.
01:16In 2021, a drunken Deputy Commissioner was found lying on the footpath in Goulburn
01:21and threatened a paramedic who tried to help him.
01:24I deeply regret the circumstances of that evening.
01:27They were completely out of character.
01:29Just last week it emerged he invited his wife and two friends on board a police boat
01:34stationed on Sydney Harbour during New Year's Eve celebrations in 2023.
01:39In hindsight, no, I should not have taken friends on that boat.
01:43This decision was not made based on who had the mistake-free perfect record.
01:48I want to make it clear that for me it was based on who I believe should be in the Commissioner's Chair
01:54on New South Wales' worst day.
01:56I totally disagree with the Premier that we don't need a Lily White Police Commissioner.
02:02In fact we need a unicorn.
02:04Mal Lanyon clearly has the Premier's backing
02:07and he says he knows he needs to earn the public's confidence too.
02:11Today he outlined some of his priorities for the force.
02:16Tackling organised crime, strengthening community safety in our regions,
02:21supporting victims of domestic and family violence and ensuring public confidence in policing.
02:26He'll be sworn in on the 1st of October.
02:29It's so good to get me a jacket mate.
02:32Oh I know!
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