The jockeying to replace Karen Webb as state’s top cop

The race to become the state’s next police commissioner is shaping up as a showdown involving two of the men who wanted it last time, and one of the most experienced officers in the force.

The surprise resignation of Commissioner Karen Webb on Wednesday, almost two years before her term is set to end, sent shockwaves through NSW Police and supercharged speculation about who will take over from Webb, whose tenure was marked by leaks, opposition from powerful sections of the media and criticism of her public performance.

Webb was awarded the job in late 2021 from a shortlist of three contenders. The two men who missed out, Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon – who has strong government support – and former homicide boss Mick Willing, are mooted to run again.

A third contender could be David Hudson, the force’s longest-serving deputy commissioner. He did not apply last time but sources close to him, on the condition of anonymity so they could speak freely, say he has not ruled out a tilt this year. He won respect for his leadership in controversial cases during Webb’s tenure and has the strong support of many police.

The new commissioner will inherit a fractured force that is struggling with significant staff shortages, a blokey culture, and high rates of stress and burnout.

Lanyon, a former head of State Crime Command, applied for the commissioner’s job after Webb’s predecessor Mick Fuller stepped down in 2021. He missed out due to concerns about an incident in which he was found drunk in Goulburn earlier that year while visiting the academy for an attestation, and allegedly swore at paramedics, sources close to the selection process said on the condition of anonymity so they could speak freely.

But when Webb took the job, Lanyon remained a deputy and her backers worried about his influence.

NSW Premier Chris Minns seconded him – some in the police describe it as “exiled” – to the NSW Reconstruction Authority in April last year at Webb’s request, in an attempt to give her clear air amid constant chatter among officers and in the media about whether Lanyon should replace her.

But the move bolstered Lanyon’s profile within the government, as his role required him to work closely with the premier and the former head of the authority, Premier’s Department secretary Simon Draper. Minns and Lanyon spent several days together during the latest spate of flooding in northern NSW in March, caused by Cyclone Alfred.

Lanyon is the firm favourite for the job, government and police sources say on the condition of anonymity. He has held key positions in NSW Police, including as boss of State Crime Command and Special Services Group (which governs marine and aviation units), Gangs Squad commander, and director of organised crime.

“Mr Minns loves him,” said one high-ranking police officer, on the condition of anonymity so they could speak freely.

Yet hard-fought politics has long been a hallmark of the top echelons of the police force, and there are many examples of the favourite missing out on the job. Fuller was a dark horse, but benefited from a public feud between deputies Catherine Burn and Nick Kaldas; Former Commissioner Ken Moroney rose from the war between Clive Small and Mal Brammer.

Webb, too, was the so-called Stephen Bradbury candidate (a reference to an Australian speed skater who won Olympic gold after all his competitors crashed) and benefited from stumbles by her rivals.

Another strong contender could be Hudson, who has the second-highest public profile after Webb in the NSW Police. He has led the public response to major crises during her tenure, including the alleged murders of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird by off-duty officer Beau Lamarre-Condon with his service weapon early last year.

Hudson also stood side by side with the premier to front the press after the discovery of a caravan full of explosives in Dural earlier this year, and has a strong operational background that includes running Mount Druitt Local Area Command and State Crime Command, which is home to the homicide, organised crime and sex abuse squads. He has been a deputy commissioner since 2013.

Hudson’s age, in his early 60s, would once have put him out of contention for the top job – police often retire at 60 due to superannuation benefits. But Mike Bush, the former New Zealand police chief recently appointed to head Victoria’s service, is around the same age. “[Hudson] is one of the smartest people I have ever met in the cops,” said a senior officer.

Sources close to Willing – the one-time Counterterrorism and Special Tactics boss who ran for the position against Webb in 2021, and was sacked by her when she took the job – say that he is considering applying. He put himself forward for, but missed out on the Victorian job. Willing was widely regarded as former premier Gladys Berejiklian’s preferred pick for the job, but she stepped down before the decision was made.

Sources close to the 2021 selection panel say politicians shied away from Willing because of what they considered clumsy attempts at lobbying.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos, who was appointed to the rank by Webb in March 2022, is also expected to run. He has tackled youth crime in the bush as head of regional field operations, and is said to be close to Police Minister Yasmin Catley. Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell, who will act as commissioner during the search for Webb’s replacement, is not expected to apply.

An outsider commissioner is unlikely, given the fallout from the appointment of Britain’s Peter Ryan in the mid-1990s is still fresh in the minds of many. NSW Police is also unlikely to consider a candidate from an agency such as the Australian Federal Police, due to deep animosity between the two organisations. No women are being touted as potential replacements for Webb.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.