Karen Webb, Michael Willing appointed NSW Police deputy commissioners

Two women have been promoted to senior positions in the NSW Police Force, with one becoming the first female deputy commissioner in three years.

Two women have been promoted to senior positions in the NSW Police Force, with one becoming the first female deputy commissioner in three years.

Assistant Commissioners Karen Webb and Michael Willing have been announced as the two new deputies replacing Jeff Loy, who is retiring, and Gary Worboys who is moving elsewhere in ­the organisation.

Karen Webb.

Mick Willing.

The appointments are to be announced on Thursday and will take effect in July 4.

“The NSW Police Force is, in my opinion, the best in the world and it can only get better with the additional leadership of these nine appointees,’’ Police Minister David Elliott said.

“Each one of the deputy and ­assistant commissioners has served their communities through extensive and distinguished ­careers and will bring impressive knowledge and experience to their respective portfolios.”

Karen Webb will become the first deputy commissioner in three years. Picture Rohan Kelly

Ms Webb, currently in charge of Highway Patrol, will be Deputy Commissioner for Corporate, while Mr Willing will leave his spot as boss of the Sydney metropolitan region to take up the role of Deputy Commissioner for Reg­ional Field Operations.

Both will join fellow deputies Mal Lanyon and Dave Hudson as possible contenders for the top job if Commissioner Mick Fuller leaves when his contract runs out next April.

Also promoted to Assistant Commissioner are Stacey Maloney (Communications and Security), Gavin Wood (Human Resources), Dean Smith (Police Property Group), Anthony Cooke (South-west Metro Region), Brett Greentree (Western Region), Stephen Hegarty (Traffic and Highway ­Patrol Command), Peter McKenna (Northern Region).