The Greens wish new Police Commissioner Mick Fuller well in his new role leading the NSW Police Force.
The NSW Police Force is well overdue for fresh leadership, with poor succession planning by the Coalition as well as infighting and internal disputes amongst senior police overshadowing the broader work of frontline police for too long.
Greens MP and Police Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:
“The new Commissioner’s immediate focus must be on reducing the crippling amount of police resources spent on the failing war on drugs, the lack of police accountability and the need to rebuild trust with marginal groups in society.
“The appointment of a new Police Commissioner has been dreadfully handled by the Coalition to date, with the process bungled over three years by Premiers O’Farrell, Baird and Berejiklian.
“Years of uncertainty and indecision has impacted on the morale and focus of the NSW Police and there has been poor succession planning both internally by outgoing Commissioner Scipione and externally by the NSW cabinet.
“Commissioner Fuller will face significant challenges in stabilising the leadership team and restoring confidence to frontline police.
“It is time now for a fresh direction at the top, personal responsibility for more focused operational policing in partnership with multicultural NSW.” Mr Shoebridge said.
Greens NSW Spokesperson on Sexuality and Gender Identity Jenny Leong:
“Last year the NSW Parliament united across party lines to apologise to the 78ers, the brave people who stood up for LGBTI rights and equality - and were brutally attacked by NSW Police for doing so."
"Disappointingly, outgoing NSW Police Commissioner Scipione failed to join the apology to those participants of the first Mardi Gras.
“We are calling on the incoming Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to show leadership and address the wrongs of the past when it comes to the unacceptable treatment of the LGBTI community by police, by making an apology." Ms Leong said.
