Karen Webb with Boorowa Central School students Digby Merriman, 7, Harper Maine, 7, Josie Munns, 6, and Grace Crawford, 7, following her investiture ceremony in February 2022. Photo: Police Media.
Karen Webb, the first woman to lead the NSW Police Force and one of its most senior and decorated officers, will retire in September, capping a 38-year career that began in her hometown of Boorowa.
Although she had originally planned to announce her retirement on 18 May, the anniversary of the day she joined the Goulburn Police Academy in 1987, discussions with her family led her to make the news public earlier.
Commissioner Webb’s farewell from the force will come in August when she walks off the parade ground at the Goulburn Academy, where she first trained as a recruit, with her retirement taking effect on 30 September.
Having attended Boorowa Central School from Kindergarten through to Year 12, Commissioner Webb has often credited her early life in the small rural community with shaping her approach to policing — one rooted in community, service and connection.
A pivotal moment came during a visit to the Boorowa Police Station to apply for her driver’s licence on Australia Day 1982 where Senior Constable John Stone’s approachable manner and community-focused approach ignited her interest in a policing career.
“I was so impressed by John that day, and coupled with a recruitment pamphlet on the counter, at that moment I decided I wanted to join the NSW Police Force,” she said.
After graduating from the Goulburn Academy, Commissioner Webb began her career in general duties and criminal investigation, her early roles including work in child protection, drug enforcement and detective training.
She later held senior command positions in areas such as forensics, surveillance and regional operations, leading major events such as the Invictus Games and responding to complex incidents including the Merrylands High School riot, bias crime such as the Sri-Lankan acid burn attack and drive-by shootings.
She received the Australian Police Medal in 2015.
Promoted to Assistant Commissioner in 2017, she was responsible for several frontline and specialist commands including the Police Transport, Aviation, Dog, Major Events & Emergency Management Command, Marine Area Command, Mounted Unit and State Planning Unit.
In subsequent years, she served on key emergency and legacy boards and became the first female Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command in 2020, before being appointed Deputy Commissioner for Corporate Services in 2021.
That same year, she was named the 23rd Commissioner of the NSW Police Force, the first woman in the state’s history to hold the role.
Commissioner Webb personally chose the place that was “her school and her playground for 13 years” – Boorowa Central School – for her investiture ceremony in February 2022 — marking the first time a commissioner had been officially appointed outside Sydney, underscoring her connection to her hometown.
“Boorowa holds a very special place in my heart,” Commissioner Webb said on the day.
“I’m incredibly proud to see some of my former teachers here today. I can assure you that without your support and encouragement, I would not be here today in this role.”
During her time as Commissioner, Karen Webb oversaw a number of major reforms, including the establishment of a Domestic Violence Registry, the introduction of knife search laws and the launch of Strike Force Pearl and Operation Shelter to tackle hate crimes.
She also led police operations during major incidents, including the Bondi Junction attack in 2024.
Commissioner Webb faced challenges during her tenure, including public scrutiny over her handling of incidents such as the death of Cooma woman Clare Nowland and operational communications during natural disasters.
Despite this, she is widely credited with modernising the force and improving representation and support for frontline officers including a historic pay rise, overseeing the largest student officer class in over a decade and investing in regional policing through infrastructure upgrades and targeted crime operations such as Operation Regional Mongoose.
Her resignation comes after three years in the five-year role.
“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,” Commissioner Webb said in a statement.
The State Government is expected to begin the recruitment process for Commissioner Webb’s successor in the lead-up to the next NSW election.
Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell has been nominated to act as interim commissioner during the transition period.
Commissioner Webb is in discussions with the government about continuing her involvement in public policy, particularly in areas related to women’s safety and domestic violence.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said she “stood tall in moments of crisis, led significant reforms to policing and staunchly defended law and order in this state”.
“She will always be remembered as a trailblazing leader and a first-rate police officer. I wish her and her family the very best in the years to come,” he said.
