Deputy Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has been chosen to head up the NSW Police Force, replacing outgoing Commissioner Karen Webb.
Live updates, reactions and contributions from ABC readers.
2m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:51pm
Mr Lanyon pressed on another prickly topic
Mr Lanyon is also being asked about a New Year’s Eve choice he made, which caused a stir recently.
Just last week, Mr Lanyon told the ABC he should have thought “more carefully” about the appropriateness of taking his wife and two friends onboard a police boat on Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve in 2023.
“In hindsight yes, when I look at it now it’s not something I should have done,” he said.
4m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:49pm
‘Deeply regret’: Mr Lanyon asked about Goulburn incident
Mr Lanyon is being asked about an incident in Goulburn years prior, described as an elephant in the room at the press conference.
His bid for the commissioner’s role in 2022 fell over after reports emerged of him being found lying on a footpath before becoming aggressive towards a paramedic after an alcohol-fuelled police event in Goulburn.
“The incident happened over four and half years ago, not that that diminishes anything to do with the incident,” he said.
“I deeply regret the circumstances of that evening. They were completely out of character.”
Mr Lanyon said he personally reached out and apologised to the paramedics who were at the scene at the time of the incident.
6m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:46pm
Mr Minns says he and police minister made decision together
Mr Minns said the candidates for the role were interviewed by both himself and Ms Catley.
He said the decision was made “together”.
“We presented it [the decision] to our cabinet colleagues this morning,” he said.
“He has unrivalled work ethic and he won’t let both the NSW Police or the people of NSW down.”
8m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:44pm
Mistake-free record wasn’t a focus, says Mr Minns
Mr Minns says the factors that led to the decision to promote Mr Lanyon to the top job “were not made on who had the mistake-free, perfect record”.
“For me, it was based on who I believe should be in the commissioner’s chair on NSW’s worst day when the public is in danger and the NSW Police Force needs exceptional leader.
“No one wants that day and we hope that it never comes, but it could. For me as a premier but also as a citizen … we couldn’t walk past Mal Lanyon when making the decision.”
11m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:41pm
‘He is the exceptional leader’, says Mr Minns
Mr Minns is now speaking following the announcement.
He has described the career experience of Mr Lanyon as “distinguished” and “exceptional”.
“I want to make it clear that he is the exceptional leader that the NSW Police Force needs right now.”
Mr Minns said he and the police minister wish for the future of the NSW Police Force to be more “united” and “focused on combatting crime in NSW and keeping the public safe”.
14m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:38pm
New commissioner details his top priorities
As NSW Police Commissioner, Mr Lanyon said his top priorities will be tackling organised crime, strengthen community safety in our regions, supporting those impacted by domestic violence and ensuring public confidence in policing.
“I also want to strengthen the culture of the NSW Police Force. Cultivate a culture of respect, professionalism, fairness and support.
“I want every officer, every member of the executive to feel part of one team.”
16m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:36pm
‘I have made mistakes in the past’, says Mr Lanyon
Mr Lanyon is now reflecting on the public scrutiny that comes with the top job.
“I have made mistakes in the past and I’ve been open about them,” he said.
“I’ve always sought to learn from those experiences and to lead with honesty, accountability and integrity.”
He noted that “public confidence is earned” and that consistency and treating people fairly will be a focus for him.
18m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:34pm
Mr Lanyon credits work of Karen Webb
Mr Lanyon will take the reigns of the 20,000-strong force after outgoing Commissioner Karen Webb retired.
“Can I acknowledge Commissioner Karen Webb on her distinguished 38-year career in the Police Force,” Mr Lanyon said.
“She leaves a legacy of achievement as the first woman to lead the NSW Police and as as commissioner who led enduring reforms.”
21m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:32pm
‘An honour’, says Mr Lanyon
Mr Lanyon is speaking now.
“It’s an honour to be chosen as the next police commissioner of the NSW Police Force – an organisation I am incredibly proud of.
“This is one of the greatest responsibilities within the public service and I take it on with humility and deep sense of duty.”
23m agoTue 23 Sep 2025 at 10:30pm
Mr Lanyon’s police experience commended
Mr Lanyon’s experience is being touted as pivotal to his new role as Commissioner.
Over the years, he has led the Northern Rivers flood recovery, most recently been the Deputy Police Commissioner, and helped to establish the Domestic Violence Command.
“We’ve made no secret since being in government that we are facing real challenges in policing,” Ms Catley said.
“We believe Mal is the right person to lead the NSW Police Force.”
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Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said it was an “honour” to have the opportunity to serve as the next commissioner and underscored his desire for unity in the force.Â
“This is one of the greatest responsibilities within the public service and I take it on with humility and deep sense of duty,” he said.
“I accept this role knowing how important the mission is for every NSW resident.”
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the force faced challenges in recruitment and retention, youth crime, organised crime and domestic violence and Deputy Commissioner Lanyon was the best person to tackle them.
The deputy commissioner, a favourite among rank-and-file officers, joined the force in 1987, and was head of the state crime command before being promoted to his current position in January 2019.
His bid for the commissioner’s role in 2022 fell over after reports emerged of him being found lying on a footpath before becoming aggressive towards a paramedic after an alcohol-fuelled police event in Goulburn the year prior.
He had been on secondment as the CEO of the Reconstruction Authority since April 2024, which Commissioner Webb extended for two years.
Just last week, Deputy Commissioner Lanyon told the ABC he should have thought “more carefully” about the appropriateness of taking his wife and two friends onboard a police boat on Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve in 2023.
Last Thursday, Mr Minns refused to rule him out of the race, saying he had done a “sterling job” as the head of the natural disaster management agency.
Tight race for the top job
Mal Lanyon has been welcomed into NSW Police’s top job. (ABC News: Alexander Lewis)
Mr Lanyon bested front-runners Paul Pisanos and Peter Thurtell in what one senior police source described as a “hunger games” for the top job.
Acting Commissioner Thurtell was considered a potential successor to Commissioner Webb, filling in since she stood down in May and fronting the media as Sydney’s gangland war exploded in recent months.
Another name who was rumoured to be in contention was Deputy Commissioner Pisanos, who oversees regional operations as part of his portfolio.
Webb leaves after 38-year career
Former NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb. (ABC News: Keana Naughton)
Mr Lanyon takes the reigns of the 20,000-strong force after outgoing Commissioner Webb officially walked off the job.
Commissioner Webb announced her retirement after 38 years with NSW Police in May.
She had taken up a role as a domestic violence advisor to the government since standing aside, but officially left the force on August 22. The commissioner’s term officially ends on September 30.
Appointed in February 2022 to replace the outgoing Mick Fuller, Commissioner Webb ended her tenure at the helm of the police three years into her five-year term.
Webb (ABC News: Ethan Rix)
At the time she beat out rival Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing, who was relieved of his duties by Commissioner Webb just weeks after she started in the role.
On top of a gangland war and the Bondi stabbing rampage, Ms Webb dealt with a police officer charged over allegedly murdering two men in Paddington and the tasering death of Cooma grandmother Clare Nowland.
As the first woman to lead the NSW Police she championed domestic violence issues but was often criticised in the media in relation to her public performances.