Independent review into police promotion

The move comes as the force is set to create a third deputy commissioner's position with the anticipated promotion of Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn (pictured) as head of police corporate services, a position in which she is now acting.

She will join deputy commissioners Dave Owen, head of state police operations, and Nick Kaldas, head of special operations including counter terrorism.

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

"The review will ensure we create a fair and equitable system of promotion for the state's 15,500 police officers," she said.

Officers now seeking promotion must progress through a series of competitive stages including a pre-qualifying assessment, an examination, integrity check and a week-long eligibility program.

All officers must spend at least two years at rank before being deemed eligible for promotion.

The Premier's announcement comes as several key assistant commissioners' jobs come up for grabs with the retirement of Assistant Commissioner

Peter Parsons. They include posts as head of human resources, forensic services and south-west region commander.

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