Deputy Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas to leave NSW Police Force

POLICE Commissioner Andrew Scipione has paid tribute to deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas — who announced his retirement today — acknowledging his “significant contribution and dedication to the police force and the wider community”.

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WITH tears in his eyes, NSW Police deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas walked through a guard of honour formed by senior officers outside the Force’s Surry Hills command centre and announced his retirement.

He insisted he had not been tapped but hinted his decision was made easier by an internal decision not to promote him to commissioner — a role to be vacated by Andrew Scipione in 2017.

Asked if fellow deputy commissioner Cath Burn would be a good replacement for Scipione, Mr Kaldas said simply: “That’s a matter for the government.”

Nick Kaldas is leaving the NSW Police Force. Picture: Craig Greenhill

The Daily Telegraph revealed this morning, ahead of Mr Kaldas’ announcement, he has taken leave ahead of his planned retirement, telling Commissioner Andrew Scipione this morning he intended to put in his papers today for recreation leave.

Mr Scipione paid tribute to Mr Kaldas for his 34-year career with the NSW Police Force.

“I have spoken with Nick today and wished him well. He has had an outstanding career and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his dedication to this organisation,” Mr Scipione said.

“I want to acknowledge his significant contribution and dedication to the police force and the wider community. Having worked alongside Nick for many years I now wish him and his family all the very best with whatever path they choose for the future.”

Asked about his own ambitions to become boss of the NSW Police Force, Mr Kaldas said “we’ll never know”.

“I think you reach a point in life where you realise there are other things you can do and there are more preferable places to be I guess at various points in your life,” Mr Kaldas said.

The decorated top cop boasts an illustrious resume from his time in NSW Police including stints as the boss of the homicide and gang squads and as assistant commissioner for counter terrorism.

“I think I am an ordinary bloke who found himself in extraordinary positions,” Mr Kaldas said as a huge contingent of colleagues watched on.

“I’m reminded of the old saying of Donald Bradman, the famous cricketer, who said that players had a sacred duty to leave the game in better shape than when they found it. I hope I’ve practised that.”

NSW Police deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas walks through a guard of honour ahead of his announcement. Picture: Craig Greenhill

His imminent departure has come after a decorated police career during which he was seconded to the UN to investigate the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri.

He had also worked in Iraq, advising local police as they rebuilt in the wake of the Iraq War.

Mr Kaldas gave evidence at a parliamentary committee last year, along with fellow Deputy Commissioner Cath Burn over a past police bugging operation.

The Ombudsman has been investigating the operation and is due to report back in the first half of this year.

Shock ... Nick Kaldas resigned this afternoon. Picture: Toby Zerna

On leaving the force, Mr Kaldas said he wanted the operation wrapped up as soon as possible.

The 57-year-old said Commissioner Scipione “wished (him) well” when he learned of his decision to retire.

He also confirmed he had received high-level job offers from overseas but would not elaborate on his plans for the future.

He said the decision to retire was a “very personal” one that took months to arrive at and made in consultation with his family.

“I won’t miss the circus but I’ll certainly miss the clowns,” he said.

Fellow NSW Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn. Picture Cameron Richardson

Under a sweeping restructure of the NSW Police Force announced in January, responsibilities were to be taken from Kaldas and fellow Deputy Commissioner Cath Burn and split among others.

The restructure is expected to form part of the succession plan for Mr Scipione, who is due to retire in 18 months.

Both Ms Burn and Mr Kaldas were thrown into the spotlight by the police bugging scandal which had harmed their chances of the top job.

Ms Burn was part of a unit that controversially unnecessarily bugged several officers at the turn of the century.

Mr Kaldas, who is upset he was bugged, has been accused of leaking confidential material in relation to the scandal and of misleading the Ombudsman in his investigation.

Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie APM will be acting deputy effective immediately.