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The NSW Minister of Police, Yasmin Catley, revealed today in Parliament that Police Commissioner Karen Webb has handed in her resignation, effective from 30 September .

Webb took over the role from Mick Fuller in 2022 and became the first woman to lead the state’s police force. She has served the NSW Police Force for 38 years.

“Commissioner Webb has had an extremely distinguished career, marked by exemplary service,” Catley said. “I have nothing by heartfelt thanks for her incredible work and admiration for her many signification achievements.”

 Over the past three years, Webb was involved in important reform,  especially in the areas of safety and wellbeing. Catley listed, among other achievements, her negotiation of a historic pay rise for NSW Police,  the introduction of full-time equivalent work, and the establishment of the Domestic and Family Violence Registry.

Webb also apologised for how the police handled LGBTQ+ matters and gay hate crimes over a period of 40 years.

Premier Chris Minns also congratulated Webb for her career, highlighting her role during the Bondi stabbings, in implementing new laws to remove knifes from NSW streets and tackling crime in the regions.

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

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

In a statement to the media, Webb said the decision to retire came after discussions with her family.

“I knew when the time was right I would know, and I wanted to give the State Government time to recruit and appoint a new Commissioner going into an election period in less than two years’ time,” Webb said.

Catley confirmed the intention to appoint Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell as an interim Commissioner during the recruitment process.