Deputies stripped as NSW Police boost senior ranks

WARRING NSW police deputies Nick Kaldas and Cath Burn will have their responsibilities stripped and split among a number of new deputy commissioners in a major restructuring of NSW senior police ranks.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione

THE senior ranks of the NSW Police Force will be expanded under a sweeping restructure designed to combat the new face of crime in the state.

Under a joint plan by the Baird Government and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, the number of deputy commissioners will rise from three to five. One is expected to be put in charge of counter-terrorism and another in charge of regional NSW — perhaps because Police Minister Troy Grant is a Nationals MP.

The Daily Telegraph understands that under the restructure, responsibilities will be taken from Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas, presently in charge of field operations, and Deputy Commissioner Cath Burn, in charge of specialist operations, and split among others.

Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn

Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas

No change... Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson

Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson’s corporate services job is not expected to change.

The restructure is expected to form part of the succession plan for Mr Scipione, who is due to retire in 18 months, although there are rumours he may extend.

Both Ms Burn and Mr Kaldas have been thrown into the spotlight by a police bugging scandal along with the ensuing Ombudsman’s investigation.

Ms Burn was part of a unit that controversially unnecessarily bugged several officers at the turn of the century.

Mr Kaldas, who is upset he was bugged, has been accused of leaking confidential material in relation to the scandal and of misleading the Ombudsman in his investigation.

Contender.. Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller

Contender... Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch

Contender... Assistant Commissioner Jeff Loy

Contender.... Assistant Commissioner Carlene York

It has been thought that because of the mess, Premier Mike Baird is unlikely to select either of those deputies to be Mr Scipione’s replacement.

There had been speculation that under the restructure there could be as many as six deputies, but the government has decided to stick with five.

Among those touted as ­potential deputies have been assistant commissioners Mick Fuller, Mark Murdoch, Jeff Loy and Carlene York.

A spokeswoman for Mr Grant was unable to say when the announcement on the deputies would be made.

“We want to ensure NSW Police is best placed to protect the safety of communities across NSW into the future,” she said. “Consideration of a restructure to equip NSW Police to meet the challenges of the changing nature of policing is ongoing.’’