Independent review into police promotion

The NSW government has launched an independent review of police promotion procedures to ensure all vacancies are filled by the best available officers. Premier Kristina Keneally said the review will create a fair and equitable system of promotion for the state’s police force.

Premier Kristina Keneally has asked Lance Wright, the former president of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, to conduct the independent review into police promotion procedures.

Officers seeking promotion must progress through a series of competitive stages including a pre-qualifying assessment, an examination, an integrity check and a week-long eligibility program. Officers must also spend at least two years at rank before being deemed eligible for promotion.

The Premier stated the review will cover the state’s 15,500 police officers, aiming to ensure promotion procedures are fair and equitable across the force.

The article notes the anticipated promotion of Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn to head of police corporate services (creating a third deputy commissioner position) alongside deputy commissioners Dave Owen (state police operations) and Nick Kaldas (special operations and counter terrorism). It also mentions the retirement of Assistant Commissioner Peter Parsons and upcoming vacancies for several assistant commissioner posts.

Following the retirement of Assistant Commissioner Peter Parsons, several assistant commissioner roles are up for grabs including head of human resources, forensic services and south-west region commander.

Superintendent Peter Cotter, the former head of the armed hold-up squad, is set to become the new boss of the Homicide Squad.

The Premier said the review is needed to ensure the state creates a fair and equitable system of promotion so that all 15,500 NSW police officers have confidence vacancies are filled by the best available officers.