‘Slap in the face’: Karen Webb criticised for skipping Police Remembrance Day

Fresh criticism has been levelled at Police Commissioner Karen Webb on the same day she rebuffed her “haters” on a major media blitz.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been criticised for missing the police force’s version of Anzac Day because she was relaxing overseas on holidays, in the latest blow for the state’s under-fire top cop.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Ms Webb skipped the 2023 National Police Remembrance Day service, a day set aside to honour police officers killed in the line of duty.

A police spokeswoman defended Ms Webb’s leave, noting it was the first time she had taken a holiday in 19 months.

Ms Webb began her annual leave on September 23 – six days before National Police Remembrance Day, jetting off to Asia. Deputy Commissioner David Hudson represented Ms Webb at the service instead, which was held at The Domain on September 29 last year.

Ms Webb returned from her holiday on October 16, having also been absent for the October 9 pro-Palestinian protest at the Opera House where activists burned an Israeli flag and reportedly chanted anti-Semitic slurs.

Facing newed criticism... NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb arrives to a press conference on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The revelations are the latest blow to Ms Webb who has been criticised by some within the force of being “invisible” in her leadership role.

Ms Webb embarked on an extraordinary media blitz on Tuesday morning, where she tried to shake off internal critics by quoting pop superstar Taylor Swift. “There will always be haters. Haters like to hate. Isn’t that what Taylor says?” Ms Webb told the Seven Network’s Sunrise program.

Minutes later, Ms Webb ­refused to leave the Sunrise studios until a news journalist and TV camera waiting outside were moved on. She was heard saying that she did not want to be “ambushed”.

Ms Webb then appeared on Nine’s Today, where she faced criticism for labelling the alleged murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies a “crime of passion”. “It certainly wasn’t my intention to offend anyone,” she said, stopping short of issuing an apology.

Ms Webb then apologised for using the “crime of passion” phrase about 30 minutes later on ABC Radio. “I apologise, that wasn’t intended to upset or offend anyone,” she said.

Ms Webb also defended her position on Sky News.

Ms Webb also defended her position on Sky News. Picture: Supplied

NSW upper house MP and former cop Rod Roberts likened Ms Webb’s absence at the September 29 ceremony to the boss of the ADF going on holidays and missing Anzac Day.

“Can you imagine (Defence Force chief) Angus Campbell not attending an Anzac service?” Mr Roberts said.

He also said he was contacted by serving police officers who were dismayed that Ms Webb did not attend. “It was a slap in the face,” he said.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley refused to comment on whether it was appropriate for the police boss to miss the service, on Tuesday.

She did however on Wednesday say the commissioner may have “misstepped” after she was widely criticised for saying she was “grateful” to accused killer senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon for the information that led police to the bodies of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.

“This information did come with the assistance of the accused for which we are very grateful and I’m sure the families are very grateful,” Commissioner Webb said at a press conference on Tuesday.

On Wednesday morning Ms Catley responded.

“Look, I think what she meant was she’s grateful for her team in doing the work that they did and I am grateful for the work they did too,” she said to Sunrise host Natalie Barr.

“So, you know, she may have misstepped. But, at the end of the day, Karen Webb is a great leader. She leads a terrific team.

“She has, as I say, the toughest of tough jobs, she’s one of our most senior public servants.

“I respect the work that she does and I’m in awe of the way that she leads that team.”

Premier Chris Minns on Tuesday said he still has confidence in Ms Webb.

“I know there’ll be of course criticism from time to time but most people in this state want an effective police commissioner that is focused on fighting crime in NSW and that is what Karen Webb has done,” he said.

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