Who is the next NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb?

At a press conference this morning Karen Webb called herself a “career cop”. It’s an apt description of the woman who will become the next NSW Police Commissioner.

At her very first press conference as police commissioner-elect, Karen Webb called herself a “career cop”.

It is an apt description of the woman who some 34 years after joining is poised to not only take over the largest police force in Australia – but become its first ever female boss.

Ms Webb joined the police force in May 1987, moving from regional NSW to the city and starting out as a simple general duties officer and criminal investigator, which took her to all corners of the state.

Newly appointed NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb with Police Minister David Elliott and Premier Dominic Perrottet. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

The mother-of-two’s CV is not only lengthy but extremely varied, including time with the Child Mistreatment Unit, the Drug Enforcement Agency and as a commander with the Forensic Services Group and Highway Patrol Command.

She has been in charge of major projects including a research project for the National Institute of Forensic Science, and Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Ms Webb also led policing during the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, the Australia Day events in 2018 and 2019 and various other

Investigations into headline making incidents such as the Merrylands High School riot, the Sri Lankan acid burn attack and a number of drive-by shootings have been overseen by the commissioner-elect.

Nikki Abbott, Ms Webb and Danielle Neaves during the Police relay to celebrate 100 years of women in policing in 2015. Picture: Nolan Verheij-Full

Ms Webb also oversaw policing during the Invictus Games at which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were the high-profile guests. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Outside of her on-the-job training in the police force she has also completed courses including an Executive Master of Public Administration, overseas study tours to the UK in 2007 and US in 2015, and the Detectives Education Program.

Ms Webb is also the first commissioner to have been an LGBTI corporate sponsor from 2006 to 2007, with Sydney Greens MP Alex Greenwich saying on Wednesday her appointment was “very welcomed”.

In 2017 she was promoted to the role of Assistant Commissioner by outgoing Commissioner Mick Fuller.

At that rank she oversaw the Police Transport and Public Safety Command, before in July 2019 taking over the position of Deputy State Emergency Operations Controller a crucial role during the 2019-2020 summer bushfires, floods and COVID-19 pandemic.

Last June she was announced as the first female commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.

Commissioner Fuller promoted her to the role of Deputy Commissioner in July this year and little more than four months later she has succeeded him in the top job.