NSW’s New Top Cop: Mal Lanyon’s Chequered Past Exposed as He Vows to Lead with ‘Honesty, Accountability and Integrity’
- Mal Lanyon, a 38-year veteran of the NSW Police Force, has been appointed as the state’s new police commissioner despite past controversies
- Lanyon has admitted to making ‘mistakes’ in the past, including a drunken night in Goulburn and taking his wife and friends on a police vessel on New Year’s Eve
- Premier Chris Minns has backed Lanyon, saying he has ‘learnt from his mistakes’ and is the right person for the job
- Lanyon’s appointment has sparked concerns about his judgement, but he has vowed to lead the force with ‘honesty, accountability and integrity’
Mal Lanyon, the newly appointed NSW police commissioner, has a long and storied career in the force, but it’s not without its controversies. The 38-year veteran has admitted to making ‘mistakes’ in the past, including a drunken night in Goulburn that saw him found lying on a footpath and becoming aggressive towards a paramedic.
“I’ve made mistakes in the past, and I’ve been open about them,” Lanyon said in a media conference. “I’ve always sought to learn from those experiences and to lead with honesty, accountability and integrity.”
One of those mistakes was a factor in him being overlooked for the top job in 2022, but Lanyon has since expressed deep regret for the circumstances and has personally reached out to the paramedics to apologise for being “argumentative”.
Another controversy surrounding Lanyon is his decision to take his wife and two friends onto a police vessel on New Year’s Eve in 2023. While he was overseeing the operation and had good reason to be onboard, he has since acknowledged that in hindsight, he shouldn’t have brought them along for the ride.
Despite these lapses in judgement, Premier Chris Minns has backed Lanyon, saying he has ‘learnt from his mistakes’ and is the right person for the job. “The decision was not made based on who had the mistake-free, perfect record,” Minns said. “We’ve made a decision based on who should be in that position on NSW’s worst day.”
Lanyon’s appointment has sparked concerns about his judgement, but he has vowed to lead the force with ‘honesty, accountability and integrity’. His ability to unite the force was a key consideration for the premier and police minister, who interviewed the candidates personally.
As Lanyon takes on the top job, he will be under intense scrutiny. But with his experience and the backing of the premier, he is confident he can deliver. “I’ve got a massive job ahead of me,” he said. “But I’m ready for the challenge.”
The next five years will be a test of the premier’s judgement, as much as Lanyon’s. But for now, the new police commissioner is focused on the task at hand. “I’m committed to leading the NSW Police Force with honesty, accountability and integrity,” he said. “I’m proud to be in this position, and I won’t let anyone down.”