NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said critics made her feel like a ‘DV victim’

During a meeting with one of Sydney’s leading media executives, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the media scrutiny made her feel like a domestic violence victim.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb likened herself to a domestic violence victim during a conversation with a leading Sydney media executive about ongoing attacks against her.

Webb had a meeting with Tom Malone, the boss of Nine radio – which owns 2GB – in her office at the Police Executive Office on Elizabeth St in August of 2023.

The meeting was one of several key moments outlined in The Daily Telegraph’s feature this week on the state’s first female top cop and her first three years in charge.

At the time Webb had been taken to task by 2GB’s Ben Fordham, Ray Hadley and other parts of the media over her handling of the Cooma taser incident, and in particular a decision not to include key details – such as the use of a police taser – in the initial media release.

But during her meeting with Malone, Webb – who has been a consistent domestic violence campaigner and made fixing the issue a key focus of her tenure – made the extraordinary off-handed comment that the verbal attacks had left her feeling like a domestic violence victim.

“The Commissioner texted me, asking to catch up for a meeting. I had no warning or idea what the meeting was going to be about,” Mr Malone said.

“When we sat down she started complaining about our coverage of the Cooma taser incident, and said she believed she was being attacked because she was a woman. I assured her this was not the case, but it was about accountability and transparency.”

“That’s when she said: ‘I feel like a DV (domestic violence) victim’.”

Police Commissioner Karen Webb. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Commissioner has made domestic violence a keystone of her tenure in the top job.

In 2023, she called for domestic violence offenders to be treated like terrorists and organised crime members.

The latest revelations come amid swirling rumours of Webb’s potential departure from the top job.

Hadley said on The Ray Hadley Midday Show he believed the time had come for Webb to bring an end to her 40 years as a policewoman.

“I would say to Karen Webb, who I have respect for and who I like, that it is time – she’s run her race,” the legendary broadcaster said.

“She’s done her job, it’s time for someone else to have a crack.

“Karen, retirement beckons I think. It’s time for you to move on and for Chris Minns and the NSW government to appoint a new NSW Police Commissioner.”

NSW Police Commisioner Karen Webb talks to media in Hobart on Wednesday 26th February 2025. Picture: Linda Higginson

Webb is currently just over three years into a five-year term as Commissioner.

She was chosen as the state’s first female top cop in unusual circumstances back in 2021, in the wake of Dominic Perrottet taking over from Gladys Berejiklian after her sudden departure amid an ICAC scandal.

Hadley told of a private meeting he had with Perrottet after he took over, during which they discussed Webb’s appointment.

When the new premier said Webb had interviewed better than the other candidates, Hadley said he “jokingly” asked Perrottet: “Are you sure you interviewed the right woman?”

But as Hadley explained he later learned how impressive Webb could be one-on-one and away from the bright lights of TV cameras, telling of a private lunch he had with Webb, her Chief of Staff and his wife.

“When you’re with her by yourself, she’s very engaging, she’s very good,” Hadley said.

“It appears when you get her in front of those TV cameras and those radio mics, she just falls to pieces which is strange, but it can happen.”

The Daily Telegraph contacted Karen Webb for comment.

On Wednesday, NSW Premier Chris Minns did not come to the defence of Ms Webb after she compared media scrutiny to the trauma felt by domestic violence victims.

Premier Chris Minns sidestepped the comments made by Ms Webb. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Mr Minns did not criticise the top cop’s comments either.

Instead, he sidestepped the issue altogether and doubled down on his own thoughts about domestic violence.

“I wasn’t party to that conversation, it’s just very difficult for me to comment on it,” he said.

“What I will say, however, when it comes to victims of domestic violence, is I can’t think of anything that would be worse.

“So obviously, my view remains that victims of crime, particularly domestic violence, go through enormous pain, enormous adversity, and it’s a responsibility of the government to rally around them, and that’s what I’d say (is my) general view when it comes to survivors of domestic violence.”

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Originally published as NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said critics made her feel like a ‘DV victim’