Webb’s office used taxpayer funds for gin despite being warned not to

Police Commissioner Karen Webb’s office was warned against using taxpayer money to buy personalised gin but went ahead with the purchase anyway, budget estimates heard on Friday.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb’s office was warned against using taxpayer money to buy personalised gin but went ahead with the purchase anyway.

Ms Webb has also revealed that taxpayers also spent thousands of dollars on personalised labels for the gin, a detail which had until now been kept secret.

Under questioning by independent MP Rod Roberts in a budget estimates hearing, Ms Webb conceded that her office had been advised against spending $11,000 on gin and gift boxes but said she did not know about it at the time.

“Did anyone in your organisation, anyone at all, suggest to you or to your office that it would be unwise, and probably … not pass the pub test for you to purchase the gin?” Mr Roberts asked.

“I understand from the records that I’ve been provided, advice was provided, and I wasn’t aware of it at the time,” Ms Webb replied.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb at the budget estimates meeting in Sydney parliament. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“The advice had been provided to people in my office and … the transaction continued,” she said.

Ms Webb then conceded that NSW Police spent “a couple of thousand dollars” on artwork for custom labels.

“I’ve been informed that there was a couple of thousand dollars paid for the artwork. Is that correct?” Mr Roberts asked.

“I’ve learned that that’s the case,” Ms Webb said.

Ms Webb revealed that thousands of dollars was also spent on customised labels. Picture: NewsWire

Mr Roberts also asked whether anyone in the NSW Police questioned “the appropriateness of putting indigenous artwork on alcohol bottles”.

“Not to my knowledge,” the Commissioner said.

Estimates also heard that NSW Police conducted “mass destructions” of expired ballistic vests without doing the proper paperwork, with a top cop declaring he has no idea how many bullet proof vests have gone missing.

Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson sensationally conceded that it was “embarrassing” that the force has lost a “significant number” of the ballistic vests, which are classed as prohibited weapons.

He told a parliamentary committee that after the NSWPF Armoury was put in charge of ballistic vests, it has uncovered “mass destructions of expired vests” where serial numbers were not recorded.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb during questioning at Budget Estimates at State Parliament on Friday. Picture: NewsWire

Mr Hudson said seven vests have been stolen over the past five years. A further six were lost, “four of which have been recovered,” he said.

However, Mr Hudson said he had “no confidence” in records showing how many vests are unaccounted for.

“It’s embarrassing,” he said.

He warned directly warned any police Commanders watching the budget estimates hearing to “get ready” for another audit.

“Because it’s coming again, and it’s going to be done properly,” he said.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley answers questions at the budget estimates meeting in Sydney parliament. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Earlier, Police Minister Yasmin Catley declared how she did not think it out of the ordinary to receive a bottle of gin from the state’s top cop, while joking how she often dusted it.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb banned the practice of using taxpayers’ money to buy alcohol for gifts and hospitality after becoming embroiled in controversy over the purchase of 50 bottles of gin.

Ms Catley, who received one of the bottles, told a budget estimates hearing that she did not think it was unusual to have received gin as a gift nor did she ask Ms Webb any questions about it.

“No, I just received it,” she told the hearing.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb. Picture Thomas Lisson

“Organisations and other departments do give corporate type gifts so I didn’t find it unusual.

“I put it on my shelf where it still sits with all rest of merchandise and gifts that I get from dignitaries from around the world and from police themselves, and from other commands as well.”

As for what she did with it, Ms Catley said it remained on a shelf: “I do dust it though.”

Questioned further by independent MP Rod Roberts about another 50 bottles in police possession – and whether she was concerned Ms Webb had not been “full and frank” to her about the fact there were 100 bottles in total, Ms Catley said the police commissioner has subsequently advised her of the extra gin.

Defending Ms Webb, Ms Catley also rejected claims that she has been embarrassed by the saga.

“The commissioner described to me when she became aware of the further purchase of the 50 other 50 bottles, she described that to me immediately, and the boxes and everything else,” Ms Catley said.

“I’m not embarrassed whatsoever.

“I believe that the commissioner gave me the information accurately and truthfully at the time of asking the question, and then subsequently provided further information to me when she became aware of it. I don’t believe that the commissioner did anything but tell me the truth … She had updated that information as that information became available to her.”