NSW’S top cop: Shortlist of contenders will be interviewed this week

EXCLUSIVE: THE race for the state’s next police commissioner has been whittled down to up to eight high-profile names, to be interviewed this week.

Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller is seen as the frontrunner for the NSW Police Commissioner job. Picture: Craig Wilson

• Deputy Police Commissioner Cath Burn wants to be next top cop
• ‘Lost’ report exonerates Nick Kaldas over ‘illegal bugging’ inquiry

THE race for the state’s next police commissioner has been whittled down to up to eight high-profile names, with those on the shortlist to be interviewed at the end of this week.

The Daily Telegraph understands one of those is Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller, who has become something of a favourite­ for the top cop’s job amid scandals involving Deputy Commissioner Cath Burn and former deputy Nick Kaldas.

Ms Burn, who is trying to clear her name over the police bugging saga, has also made the shortlist, The Daily Telegraph understands, along with fellow Deputy David Hudson and assistant­ commissioners Jeff Loy and Geoff McKechnie.

Former Assistant Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas may have made the list.

There is speculation Mr Kaldas, assistant commissioner Frank Mennilli, and Australian Border Force chief Roman Quaedvlieg have also made the list for interview.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has committed to announcing the new commissioner before incumbent Andrew Scipione ­retires on April 2.

The Police Association backs Mr Loy for the job but insists that, whoever it is, they should be a recruit from NSW Police and not outside.

Mr Kaldas, who has a strong operational record and is now working for the UN in the Middle­ East, medically retired from the force last year but has decided to apply regardless, lodging his application in the final hours before cut-off.

In a recent interview with The Daily Telegraph, Ms Burn defended her operational record and produced legal advice querying the Ombudsman’s finding over her role in the police bugging affair.

Mr Kaldas and the Crime Commission are also contesting the Ombudsman’s findings over their handling of matters, including Mr Kaldas’s alleged accessing of documents relating to the saga and allegations he misled the Ombudsman.

Cath Burn says she’d like the top job.

Outgoing NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller is seen as the frontrunner for the NSW Police Commissioner’s job.

Ms Berejiklian and Police Minister Troy Grant have committed to appointing five deputy commissioners so are also looking to appoint three extra deputies via this process.

The interview panel includes Department­ of Premier and Cabinet head Blair Comley, Justice department head Andrew Cappie-Wood and former senior assistant police commissioner Peter Walsh. Its decision is expected to occur before the coroner hands down a report into the police handling of the Lindt cafe siege, which could criticise some officers.

Ms Berejiklian would not comment on the shortlist yesterday except to say: “I am confident that whoever is chosen will make an excellent police commissioner. It would be in­appropriate to comment any further on the process.”