Who will be NSW’s next top cop?

An handful of names are being bandied about to be the next NSW Police Commissioner, including four of the current deputies.

Current Police Commissioner Karen Webb. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

An handful of names are being bandied about to be the next NSW Police Commissioner, including four of the current deputies.

Deputy commissioners Dave Hudson, Peter Thurtell, Mal Lanyon and Paul Pisanos are leading the charge to replace Karen Webb when she retires in September.

Mr Hudson, the most high-profile of the contenders, would bring the most credentials to the role, along with the support of front line officers and the union.

He didn’t apply for the job when Mick Fuller retired in 2021 and Ms Webb was appointed but the government would have to seriously consider him if he does this time.

Mr Hudson has been the face of the police force for much of Ms Webb’s three-year tenure, taking the bulk of questions at press conferences, budget estimates and the recent parliamentary inquiry into the terror caravan plot.

He is in charge of NSW’s elite detective squads and counter terrorism unit.

The man expected to be caretaker commissioner during the application process, Mr Thurtell, would have to push back his retirement plans if he were to go for the top job.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon.

But sources in the force say Mr Thurtell is the strong leader it needs and has vast experience in regional and bush policing which could be critical to solving the youth crime crisis crippling rural NSW.

He has regularly stepped up to cover Ms Webb when she has been on leave and was handed the baton ahead of all other deputies when she announced her retirement.

“I have recommended to the government that Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell act in my role,” Ms Webb said in her retirement statement.

Another strong contender, Mr Lanyon, has spent the past 12 months as CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, where government sources said he has impressed ministers and Premier Chris Minns.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson.

Mr Lanyon has worked in all facets of the police force, including local commands through to the prestigious head of the State Crime Command.

Many considered Mr Lanyon unlucky not to have got the job ahead of Ms Webb when he was short-listed, along with Mick Willing.

Mr Willing was later sacked by Ms Webb before she was sworn in.

The other current deputies, Mr Pisanos and Dean Smith, are also likely to apply for the job but have only been in their current roles for a limited time.

Mr Pisanos is in charge of regional areas and has been at the forefront of fighting youth crime.

Despite his lower profile, Mr Smith who heads up Corporate Services, is overseeing an internal probe into the “boys’ club” culture in the force.

Originally published as Who will be NSW’s next top cop?