NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb will resign after three years in the role.
The resignation was confirmed in NSW parliament today, with Police Minister Yasmin Catley saying Webb would retire in September after 32 years in the police force. Webb is the first woman to hold the role as the state’s police commissioner.
“She has provided a lengthy notice period to enable the government to conduct a thorough recruitment process for her successor,” Catley said
“Commissioner Webb has had an extremely extinguished career marked by exemplary service. I have nothing but heartfelt thanks for her incredible work and admiration for her many significant achievements.
“She has been a force for change and reform, focused on the safety and the wellbeing of the New South Wales police – she will leave a significant legacy.”
Webb said being the first female police commissioner has been a great honour.
“I have recommended to the government that Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell act in my role,” she said.
“I knew when the time was right I would know, and I wanted to give the State Government time to recruit and appoint a new Commissioner going into an election period in less than two years’ time.”
During her time in the position, Webb was widely criticised over the handling of the high-profile alleged murders of Luke Davis and Jesse Baird.
In 2024, she initiated a review into into culture within the police force amid claims of bullying and sexism.