WILLIAMSON WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF NEW NSW POLICE COMMISSIONER

Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson, has welcomed the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM as the next Commissioner of the NSW Police Force.

Mr Williamson said he has had the privilege of working with Mr Lanyon since entering Parliament in 2023, both during his time as Northern NSW Recovery Coordinator and more recently in his role as Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

“In fact, I only met with Mal last Friday in my Grafton electorate office to discuss ongoing recovery matters,” Mr Williamson said.

“In my time as Member for Clarence, I’ve seen first-hand his leadership, his professionalism, and—most importantly—his compassion for people doing it tough. He understands how to work with communities in crisis and how to support them through recovery.”

Deputy Commissioner Lanyon has served with the NSW Police Force since 1987, rising through the ranks to lead the State Crime Command before his promotion to Deputy Commissioner in 2019. In addition to his distinguished policing career, he has overseen major recovery and reconstruction efforts across disaster-affected regions of NSW.

Mr Williamson also acknowledged outgoing Commissioner Karen Webb for her years of service to the people of New South Wales.

“I thank Commissioner Webb for her contribution to policing and wish her well for the future,” Mr Williamson said.

“With Mal Lanyon as Commissioner, the NSW Police Force is in very strong hands. He has the trust of the community, the respect of frontline officers, and the proven ability to lead in the most challenging circumstances. I congratulate him on this well-deserved appointment and look forward to working with him in his new role.”