Former deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas fires off at top cops in farewell speech

RETIRED deputy police commissioner Nick Kaldas appeared to attack the leadership of the NSW Police Force in front of 800 people at Darling Harbour his farewell speech last night.

Retired Assistant Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas.

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RETIRED deputy police commissioner Nick Kaldas appeared to attack the current leadership of the NSW Police Force in a farewell speech last night in which he also implored the government to appoint the next commissioner from inside its own ranks.

“The police leadership that politicians select has to be those with credibility and actual experience, not just those who are certain to agree with them,’’ Mr Kaldas said last night at the Darling Harbour ceremony.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas appeared to attack the current leadership of NSW Police in his farewell speech last night. Picture: Craig Greenhill

“The real answer is picking the right leaders who want to reform and improve and will not simply run on the spot, being risk averse and abdicating real responsibility. That is unforgivable.’’

Speaking before over 800 people at a farewell ceremony hosted by top talk-back host Ray Hadley, Mr Kaldas said there was no need to go outside of NSW to replace Commissioner Scipione, who retires in September.

“We have the talent here in the NSWP force and it would be a travesty if the government was to feel they needed to look outside for the next Commissioner. There is simply no reason for that,’’ he said to applause from the audience.

Mr Kaldas was considered the natural successor for the top job but quit in March after years of tensions between himself, the commissioner and Deputy Catherine Burn after it was revealed he and 100 police were illegally bugged for a number of years.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione arrives at the event last night.

Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen SC was also on hand to celebrate Mr Kaldas’s retirement.

Both Mr Scipione and Ms Burn were questioned about their roles in the bugging operation during a four-year secret Ombudsman’s inquiry which will be made public by the end of the year.

“Government should recognise that reform has to come from within, it can never be imposed externally, creating more and more out of control oversight bodies is never the answer.

“I, like many others here tonight have had every aspect of my being attacked in two or three royal commissions, more incompetent PIC (Police Integrity Commission) inquiries than I can remember and a hapless four-and-a-half-year inquiry conducted by the Ombudsman but ladies and gentleman, I assure you I stand here before you tonight with no regrets, I am unbroken, unbowed, unrepentant and unafraid.”

Presents arrive at the event.. or maybe an evidence bag?

Kaldas, one of the most decorated police officers in the country was expected to be announced as Commissioner in 2014 by premeir Barry O’Farrell before he resigned over the “bottle of grange” affair. The new Premier, Mike Baird convinced Andrew Scipione to delay his retirement another two years, much to the chagrin of Kaldas.

“I had a vision of a police force that would be fearless in tackling gang crime, leading nationally and internationally, as we did with Operation talon, decimating the Brothers for Life organised Crime gang.’’

Since his retirement in March a replacement has not been appointed and the position has been rotated through four senior police. The government has also created another two positions as deputies hoping to find a successor to the retiring Commissioner Scipione.

“The process is in place and we are progressing these matters as quickly as possible,’’ a spokesman for the Commissioner said.