Latest news with #KarenWebb
The Herald
27-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Bail lifeline for Gqeberha firearms dealer Karen Webb
Beleaguered firearms dealer Karen Webb was shown a glimmer of hope on Tuesday when an application to prevent the joinder of the cases against her was granted. This means the matter against the 41-year-old will go to trial only once her third shot at bail in the Makhanda high court has been finalised. Webb, who faces a laundry list of charges, including murder, theft, fraud, illegal transportation of firearms and selling firearms to people not permitted to possess them, has been in custody since her arrest in February 2024, and has been refused bail twice. Her lawyers are now awaiting a court date from the Makhanda high court to hear her appeal against the refusal of bail. Subsequent to her bail being refused, more charges were brought against her. She decided to abandon a formal bail application in those cases as it would be moot in light of her previous failed bail applications. The state wanted to join all the cases against her, but defence attorney Peter Daubermann brought an urgent application to keep the matters separate. This is as a successful appeal could reopen the door for her to bring bail applications in respect of the latest charges. The application, in the Gqeberha magistrate's court, was not opposed by state advocate Liezel Landman. Landman previously indicated that the state was ready to proceed with the trial, but that will now commence only once the bail appeal has been concluded. The matter will return to court on July 14. Webb will return to court on another matter on June 5, when she is scheduled to stand trial for possession of contraband after she was allegedly found in possession of a cellphone on two separate occasions while in custody at the North End Prison. The Herald
ABC News
27-05-2025
- ABC News
NSW police commissioner cleared of misconduct over alleged leaking of Bondi victim's name
Outgoing NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been cleared of misconduct allegations after she was accused of releasing the name of Bondi Junction stabbing victim Dawn Singleton to former talkback host Ray Hadley on the day of the attack. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) said on Tuesday that it received a complaint that Commissioner Webb "breached the NSW Police Force Media Policy by releasing the confidential details of a deceased person … prior to the deceased's next of kin being notified". On April 13 last year, Joel Cauchi killed six people and injured 10 with a knife during a rampage at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Sydney's east. 2GB radio host Ben Fordham on Tuesday recounted Hadley's versions of events. "It was the commissioner's way of saying it without saying it." Fordham said Hadley called the police commissioner on behalf of Ms Singleton's father, prominent businessman John Singleton. "He [Mr Singleton] said, 'I think my Dawnie is one of those who lost their life, and I can't confirm it,'" Hadley recounted on Fordham's show. The LECC said the investigation was concluded in March this year and that it was "satisfied that there was no misconduct by the Commissioner of Police in relation to this matter". The ABC reached out to NSW Police for comment. A coronial inquest into the stabbing attack remains underway to investigate the lessons that can be learned. Sue Chrysanthou, SC, the lawyer representing some victims' families, including Ms Singleton's, questioned Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna on Tuesday. Victims of crime cannot be identified by police until their next of kin have been informed, have had reasonable time to tell others, and have given consent for identification, the court heard. Assistant Commissioner McKenna agreed under cross-examination that the code of conduct and ethics applied to "all police officers", including the police commissioner in relation to the release of information publicly. However, he emphasised that policies in place were "guidelines". "There are certain circumstances with some nuances where you may have to step outside of [them]," he said. Ms Chrysanthou said some of her clients "think there's been a major issue" that "hasn't been appropriately dealt with". Neither Dawn Singleton nor Ray Hadley were named in this line of inquiry. The hearing, in its last week, continues.
ABC News
07-05-2025
- ABC News
NSW Police to still embrace culture review recommendations, Karen Webb says
The outgoing commissioner of NSW Police has said the institution will carry out any necessary reforms into the force's culture, regardless of whoever replaces her. On Wednesday, Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed that she would be stepping down from her role, effective from September, marking a tenure of less than four years. Warning: This story contains confronting details and images. "I always wanted it to be my decision, rather than someone else suggesting it for me," Commissioner Webb told the ABC on her motivations to retire. "I'm not going to share my own thoughts and my discussions with my family about when that would be, other than to say that when I knew it was time, then I would make that call. And here we are." Karen Webb told the ABC that NSW Police is committed to the review and whatever its recommendations are. ( ABC News ) But her decision to resign comes amid an independent review into NSW Police's culture, following allegations of a toxic work environment. Despite the reality that Commissioner Webb will not be in the job to action any of the ongoing review's future recommendations, she remains confident that any necessary change will still occur. "There's a commitment by the organisation," she said. " We've signed up for this. We're ready for this. " 'I think that work will continue' If you or anyone you know needs help: Call triple-0 if you need immediate care As reported by the ABC, a number of former and current officers alleged they had respectively experienced bullying, racist, sexism, homophobia alongside a dangerous lack of support over recent decades. One of those former officers included Mel Cooper who, in 1994 during a night shift, Another allegation included a senior officer Despite a complaint, that senior officer remained in their role, with NSW Police describing the behaviour as "unprofessional" but not "criminal". Former NSW Police officer Mel Cooper when she was handcuffed and photographed by male officers on a night shift in 1994. ( Supplied ) Following these initial claims and allegations, NSW Police launched an independent investigation into its culture in October, But now, seven months later, her decision to leave may mean she will be out of the role by the time the review is handed down. Photo shows NSW Police commissioner Karen Webb and NSW Premier Chris Minns The NSW police commissioner has been described as a "force for change and reform" but her resignation is something her enemies and critics have been calling for years. It also means she will not be the commissioner to spearhead any of the recommendations made by the review. When asked by the ABC if she had concerns about this review, Commissioner Webb said — while she won't be able to control things after she's retired — both NSW Police and the state government will be committed to the findings. "This review is well underway. I've been very clear about what it needs to do. And the review has been set up in phases, so it does give it the best chance of success," she said. "I've started that work, and I think that work will continue."
ABC News
07-05-2025
- ABC News
VIDEO: NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb will step down
After barely three years, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has confirmed her resignation, an announcement that comes months after ABC News exposed allegations of systematically toxic work culture spanning decades.
News.com.au
07-05-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
‘When the time was right I would know': Special reason NSW Police Commissioner Karren Webb breaks silence on stepping down
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has confirmed she will step down from her role as the state's top cop. Commissioner Webb told she had decided earlier this year to retire following discussions with her family. The Commissioner said her role as the first female police commissioner has been her greatest honour. 'I have recommended to the government that Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell act in my role,' Commissioner Webb said. '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,' she said. Commissioner Webb will officially be farewelled from the force when she walks off the parade ground at the Goulburn Police Academy at the next attestation in August. She had planned to announce her plans to retire on May 18 to commemorate the date she walked into the Goulburn Police Academy 38 years ago. The Commissioner is in discussions with the Government about working in critical areas specifically around women's safety and domestic violence. Commissioner Webb's plans for announcing the end to her three-tear tenure in her own time were disrupted on Wednesday morning when news of her decision spread like wildfire among senior police and politicians. Appointed the state's first female commissioner in February 2022, Commissioner Webb beat fierce contenders Mick Willing and Mal Lanyon for the role. During her tenure she has come under intense criticism particularly for her performances in front of the media. She has overseen responses to the Bondi massacre, the alleged murders of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird by off-duty officer Beau Lamarre-Condon and she has copped criticism for her handling of the taser death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said Commissioner Webb recently wrote to her indicating her intention to retire before the end of the year. 'She has provided a lengthy notice period to enable the Government to conduct a thorough recruitment process for her successor,' Ms Catley said. 'I have nothing but heartfelt thanks for her incredible work and admiration for her many significant achievements.' The minister said Commissioner Webb had been 'a force for change and reform' focussed on the safety and wellbeing of police. She will leave a significant legacy, including paid study for student police officers, a historic pay rise, full-time equivalent work allowing police to job share for the first time ever, the establishment of the Domestic and Family Violence Registry and the Pulse program and the creation of the Health Safety and Wellbeing Command. In 2024, Commissioner Webb apologised for the force's handling of gay hate crimes over 40 years. 'On behalf of the NSW Government, I thank Karen Webb for her extraordinary career of self-sacrifice and public service,' the Minister said Sources close to the commissioner said the job had taken its toll of late and close confidantes were encouraging her to stand down, one even telling her 'she has nothing to prove'. In August last year Webb – who has always had a passion for domestic violence work and youth crime – vowed she wasn't going anywhere and could not bow to 'faceless cowards' working behind the scenes to destabilise her. The extraordinary move came after a week of sustained criticism over taxpayer expenditure on gin gifts and failure to disclose her personal relationship with the supplier. From the beginning, Commissioner Webb had to stare down two fierce competitors to earn former Premier Dominic Perrottet's trust as the right person to lead the state's 18,000 police officers and make history in the process as the first female top cop. The appointment was not based on gender, Perrottet said. He was confident in Webb's ability and thanked the 'high-calibre' contenders – Mick Willing and Mal Lanyon. The three-way battle to lead NSW's police had played out amid much publicity in the months following Mick Fuller's announcement he intended to resign after four years at the helm. Ms Webb's resignation will now surely spark a hotly contested and very public search for a new Police Commissioner.
