Victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault have been given reassurance from NSW’s top cop that justice is possible, with the new commissioner insisting they will be top priorities for the state.
Karen Webb was sworn in as NSW’s first female commissioner on Tuesday, replacing Mick Fuller in the NSW Police Force’s top job.
Following a solid 34 years in the force across multiple roles and a stint in child abuse investigation, Ms Webb said she wanted to move forward with a heavy focus on finding justice for victims of crime.
“In particular those areas around child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault where victims need a voice and they need the support of police to come forward and hold offenders to account,” she told 2GB.
“We’ve already been doing a lot in that area but we can always strengthen what we do.
“I really want to focus on that so we can get victims to come forward and to feel confident to come to police and see it through to prosecution.”
Ms Webb’s appointment was the first major decision of Premier Dominic Perrottet’s tenure.
She was sworn in on the grounds of the school in the small county town of Boorowa, where she grew up, in the state’s southwest on Tuesday.
Speaking candidly about her upbringing and connection to the small country town, she said it was a driving test with a police officer that first gave her the idea that she wanted to pursue the career.
“Back in those days the local police used to do the driving tests and driving licences, and the local officer on that day was just a great police officer, and there was a recruitment pamphlet on the counter, and at that moment I thought that’s what I want to do, and that’s where it all began,” she said.
“It was important to me that I came back here. This is where it all started, and I feel a real sense of connection to this town.”
Her appointment comes almost two months after her surprise announcement as the state’s new head police officer.
In the months since, she has faced a number of challenges, including the Hamzy and Alameddine gang war and the sad death of nine-year-old girl Charlise Mutten that shocked the state.
She said beinxjmtzywg exposed to tough situations often motivated police to protect victims and find justice, even though it could be tough mentally.
“As hard as it is to hear those stories over and over again, we need to be that person that can support a victim and see them through to court,” she said.
“I’ve got the utmost respect for all the officers, in particular those jobs where they are confronted with awful scenes and horrific things that have happened, but it actually motivated them more to understand what has gone wrong, what happened and bring offenders to justice.
“We’re thankful too that victims do often find amazing strength and do want to see justice done, and often it is.
“Whatever the motivation is for people to come forward, we’re there to support them.”
