New Police Commissioner Defends Past Behaviour In First Press Conference

Incoming police commissioner Mal Lanyon has defended his multiple controversial incidents at a press conference this morning, following his appointment as Karen Webb’s replacement.

Journalists grilled him about his past behaviour, including a 2021 incident where he was found collapsed under Goulburn’s “Big Merino” sculpture, reportedly drunk, and told paramedics sent to check on him to “fuck off” before he called their boss chief executive of Ambulance NSW, Dr Dominic Morgan.

“I deeply regret that circumstances of that evening,” Lanyon said, adding that the behaviour was “completely out of character”, and were influenced after a “very hard” day of training for a charity bike ride, which involved him riding 300km.

“That doesn’t justify it, I accept that I drank more than I should have that night,” he said.

Premier Chris Minns defended the decision, saying the police commissioner did not need a flawless record in order to be the best candidate.

“I want to make it clear that for me, it was based on who I believe should be in the commissioner chair on New South Wales’ worst day, and when the public’s in danger, and the New South Wales police force needs exceptional leadership,” he said.

“He’s led the Reconstruction Authority. He’s had the most difficult command in the New South Wales police, not just for one year or two years, but for over a decade.”

Lanyon also admitted he should have “thought more carefully about the appropriateness” of taking his wife and another couple out on the water in an operational police board on New Year’s Eve 2023.

Lanyon demonstrated “remarkable resilience and strategic leadership”, says acting commissioner

Lanyon has been deputy police commissioner since 2019, and was a potential frontrunner for the top job in 2021, which was reportedly derailed after the incident in Goulburn, leading to Karen Webb assuming the role.

In his 37-year career with the NSW Police, Lanyon has played key leadership roles in major disaster response and recovery operations, led major crime-fighting commands targeting gangs, firearms, and organised crime, and been responsible for thousands of frontline officers in his position overseeing the state’s metropolitan policing operations.

He also established Operation Amarok to target high-risk domestic violence offenders.

In a media release on Wednesday morning, Lanyon said he considered it an honour to be chosen to serve the people of NSW as Police Commissioner.

“Over my years in policing and emergency management, I’ve seen what makes this force strong, the unwavering dedication of officers, the commitment to upholding public safety, and a tradition of putting the service of others before themselves,” he said.

“As Commissioner, my focus will be clear: tackling organised crime, strengthening community safety in our regions, supporting victims of domestic and family violence, and ensuring public confidence in policing.”

Acting Commissioner Peter Thurtell said he was confident the NSW Police was in safe hands under Lanyon’s leadership.

“Over the past year, Mr Lanyon has demonstrated remarkable resilience and strategic leadership as the Acting CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, guiding the state’s natural disaster management efforts through complex and demanding circumstances,” he said.

“Having worked alongside him for many years, I can attest to his operational expertise and commitment to community safety, which has earned him the respect of colleagues across the organisation.”

Thurtell is acting in place of Karen Webb, who is set to retire officially on September 30.