NSW Police: Number of deputy commissioners lifted from three to five

THE number of NSW deputy police commissioners will be lifted from three to five under a sweeping restructure of the top ranks to go to cabinet today.

• LINDT SIEGE: TOP COPS FINALLY FRONT INQUEST
• HEADS NEED TO ROLL AFTER THE LINDT INQUEST

THE number of NSW deputy police commissioners will be lifted from three to five under a sweeping restructure of the top ranks of the force to go to cabinet today.

The reform is also aimed at finding a replacement for Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

At the same time, Labor leader Luke Foley, the Greens, Christian Democrats and Shooters and Fishers MPs will hold an unprecedented joint press conference to demand Premier Mike Baird anoint retired deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas the next police commissioner.

The joint appearance this morning, organised by Mr Foley, will put pressure on the Premier in the wake of the Lindt Cafe siege controversy and with police succession in turmoil. Police Minister Troy Grant is expected to present his restructure plan to cabinet today in a bid to find a successor to replace Mr Scipione when he is due to retire next July.

Andrew Scipione.

Cath Burn.

There will be a deputy specifically assigned to counter-terrorism, one for the regions, and one for the city under the reforms. The regional deputy commissioner will deal with the problem of ice in the bush, and domestic violence.

Under the restructure, Catherine Burn and Dave Hudson would be expected to remain deputies.

The jobs will be nationally advertised, although Assistant Commissioners Mick Fuller and Jeff Loy are odds to be promoted, as is Geoff McKechnie. It is unclear if the number of assistant commissioners will be reduced and a costing is yet to be applied to the changes.

It is understood all deputies would be required to lead a “process of reform” — for each of their areas.

Retired Deputy Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas.

The government will present the changes as the biggest reform of the police executive since the 1990s, rather than a succession plan.

Mr Grant’s office declined to comment on the plan.

Shooters and Fishers MP Robert Borsak said yesterday Mr Baird and his Police Minister should “end the circus that has been the leadership succession speculation ... and take the only sensible course of action: Commission Nick Kaldas as police commissioner.”

“There’s been one option open to Mike Baird to solve the tension at the very top of the NSW Police, and that’s making Nick Kaldas commissioner of police,” Mr Borsak said.

“Nick Kaldas would not be off duty when our state’s largest city was in a crisis.”