Police Commissioner Karen Webb Announces Resignation

New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb will be resigning at the end of 2025, after three years in the role.

Police minister Yasmin Catley told NSW Parliament of Webb’s intention during Question time on Wednesday.

“She has provided a lengthy notice period to enable the Government to conduct a thorough recruitment process for her successor,” Catley said.

“I have nothing but heartfelt thanks for her incredible work and admiration for her many significant achievements.”

Webb is the first woman to hold the NSW Police Commissioner position, taking over from Mick Fuller in 2022.

“The former premier, Dominic Perrottet, and I didn’t agree on some things,” Catley told the lower house.

“But the best decision he ever made was to announce that Karen Webb was the police commissioner of New South Wales.”

“Legacy of substance” says Minns

NSW Premier Chris Minns also thanked Webb for her service, saying in a statement that she will be remembered as a leader.

“Commissioner Webb has stood tall in moments of crisis, led significant reform to policing, and staunchly defended law and order in this state,” he said. 

Minns highlighted some of her achievements in the role, including taking leadership over the response to the Bondi attack last year, the establishment of Strike Force Pearl and Operation Shelter, and the pay rise of almost 40% for NSW Police.

“She leaves behind a legacy of substance, both as the first female Police Commissioner of New South Wales, and someone who made lasting changes in that position.”

However, her tenure was not without controversy.

Webb was criticised for her response to the 2023 manslaughter of 95-year-old Clare Nowland by a police officer, where she denied allegations of a cover-up.

She also was accused of mishandling the alleged murders of Sydney couple Luke Davis and Jesse Baird, allegedly at the hands of police officer Beau Lamarre.

Webb plans to leave the job on September 30, after 38 years in the police force.