2023 UNE Distinguished Alumni Award winner - Commissioner Karen Webb
In recognition of her outstanding leadership in the NSW Police Force
The location she chose to be sworn in as the State’s 23rd and first female Commissioner of NSW Police didn’t surprise those who know Karen Webb. Not for her the harbourfront prestige and formality of Sydney’s Government House.
Instead, it was the little school she attended at Boorowa, between Yass and Cowra. For, like the country town she grew up in, this police CEO is humble, authentic and community-minded, and possesses a steely resolve. Being raised with three brothers in a “street full of boys” can do that.
“When it came to my swearing in, I wanted to go back to my home town, to the school where my education had started,”
“When it came to my swearing in, I wanted to go back to my home town, to the school where my education had started,” said Karen, a 2023 UNE Distinguished Alumni. “I loved growing up in that small community. And I thought it was important to send a message to the current kids and residents about the success you can achieve … that you don’t need to have been to a big city school to reach this position.”
Leaving that central school back in 1983, Karen initially combined work in an accountancy firm with TAFE studies, but developed a “strong yearning” to join the police force in 1987, at the age of 22.
“I had had very little to do with the police up until then,” she said. “I had no family members in the force. But in small country towns those public figures in community service roles – the school principals, police officers, teachers and nurses – are really strong leaders. I think it came from that; that sense of wanting to make a difference.”
Women comprised just 10% of the police force at the time. “I didn’t have a lot of female role models, but it prepared me for what still is, in numbers at least, a male-dominated profession. I didn’t really see gender; you just get on and do it.”
During the diverse operational career that unfolded, Karen performed general duties and conducted criminal investigations across regional and metropolitan commands, and later became a detective. She worked with the Child Mistreatment Unit, Drug Enforcement Agency and Forensic Services Group.
Undertaking a Bachelor of Professional Studies (Policing) at UNE in the early 2000s opened up more opportunities still. “Everything I had done up until then was really internally focussed and about becoming a technical expert,” Karen said. “The degree was to open my mind, to expand my learning.”
Her children were just 4 and 2 at the time, but a supportive mentor, employer and UNE supervisor made the online study achievable. “I would put the kids to bed and do all my reading and assignments at night,” said Karen, who was by then a sergeant. “It paid dividends personally and professionally, giving me the confidence to apply for a promotion to inspector when that chance came along. If I hadn’t done that degree at UNE, I wouldn’t be here. It set me on a different trajectory – I went on to do an Executive Masters of Public Administration and other leadership programs.”
Upon her appointment to the post of Assistant Commissioner Police Transport and Public Safety in 2017, police transport, aviation, dogs, major events and emergency management, as well as the water and mounted police all fell within Karen’s remit. As Deputy State Emergency Operations Controller, she partnered with other emergency service agencies during the triumvirate challenges of bushfires, floods and COVID-19.
A promotion to Assistant Commissioner, Traffic & Highway Patrol and then Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services swiftly followed, adding to the “rich tapestry” of Karen’s policing career.
“My experiences have enabled me to adapt to whatever has evolved, but nothing prepares you for becoming Commissioner,” she said. “I felt privileged and honoured to be chosen. It’s a big, public-facing, high-profile role.”
Law enforcement is complex, community expectations are high, and Karen is responsible for 22,000 staff that serve the needs of NSW’s 8.5 million people. “Our officers have big hearts and it’s a challenging job,” she said. “I’ve been there and you never know what you’re turning up to as a police officer. We are dealing daily with humans who are not always at their best, and who are often in crisis.
“Our role requires a great deal of victim care and sensitivity. Empathy is so important. How we treat a person will be with them forever. I really care about the people in this organisation and within our communities.”
Charged as she is with reforming and modernising the NSW Police Force, Commissioner Webb has made clear her priorities to tackle the ‘silent crimes’ of domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse and cybercrime, which she says are “equal in importance to other violent crimes because of the impact they have on people”. And while the percentage of women in the NSW Police Force (including unsworn staff) has risen to 36% today, she continues to advocate for greater diversity.
“It would take 162 years to get gender parity based on our recruitment, and I am certainly not going to get there in my lifetime, but we have to continue to grow the number of women and encourage them to take on leadership roles. It’s important to see what you can be and to counter the barriers women face. While I am the first female Commissioner for NSW, I hope I won’t be the last.”
For this “career cop”, early life lessons in Boorowa continue to be influential. “But all life experiences are helpful,” Karen said. “Ultimately, my moral compass will continue to point north and my values will help guide me in the right direction.”
