Karen Webb: Future of NSW Police Commissioner questioned amid alleged cop killer probe

The future of NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb is looking “pretty bleak” following controversial comments she made — and the time she took to make them — during the investigation into alleged cop killer Beau Lamarre-Condon.

An intense ten-day investigation reached a climax on Tuesday when the bodies of Jesse Baird and his partner Luke Davies were discovered hidden in surfboard bags in a remote spot south of Sydney.

They were allegedly dumped there by Mr Lamarre-Condon, who police say shot the pair — with his police issue pistol — before trying to hide the double murder by moving the remains in a van.

He gave himself up last Friday, but only yesterday gave up to investigators where he had allegedly dumped the bodies.

He is now facing two counts of murder.

Commissioner Webb is facing increasing pressure about her public performance during the murder hunt, which saw her decline to front the cameras for days and then draw criticism for what she said when she did.

Describing the alleged murders as a “crime of passion” was slammed by some, as it emerged that Mr Lamarre-Condon may have been stalking Mr Baird after their casual relationship came to an end.

Commissioner Webb was also forced to defend saying she was “grateful” that Mr Lamarre-Condon had allegedly disclosed where he had dumped the bodies during an interview with detectives on Tuesday.

And the use of Talyor Swift’s lyrics to defend herself — telling reporters that “haters gonna hate” — also raised eyebrows.

Senior Seven News reporter Robert Ovadia is one of those who has been asking questions of Commissioner Webb this week.

And speaking to The West’s ‘Court in the Act’ podcast, he said questions were being asked more widely about the Commissioner’s leadership and future in the job.

“This is not about hatred. This is not about agenda-driven journalism, or having an axe to grind or not liking her personally,” Mr Ovadia said.

“Our job as journalists is to reflect the opinions and the statements of those who cannot make public statements themselves.

“And I was overwhelmed with messages, as were other seasoned journalists, from cops who were saying: ‘Where is our leader? Where is the leadership?’ So it was reflecting that sentiment.”

While there is no mandate for a Commissioner to front the media, Mr Ovadia said the unique nature of this case meant it needed a unique public response.

“These specific instances were not just allegations of police brutality. They are outrageous. And they undermine confidence in the New South Wales Police Force,” Mr Ovadia said.

“That is a very, very big deal — undermining confidence in every police officer by virtue of the behaviour of one of them.

“And that is the leadership that people suggest was lacking. That she needed to stand up, stand up immediately and talk about it.”

With NSW Police asked not to march in the upcoming Sydney Mardi Gras — a position which might shift before the weekend — Commissioner Webb’s tenure is now openly being questioned by some of Sydney’s highest-profile media voices.

She received the vocal backing of the state’s police minister on Wednesday. But it will be Premier Chris Minns’ view which will ultimately hold sway.

“I think (her future) is pretty bleak, to tell you the truth,” Mr Ovadia said.

“When you’re in the position of police commissioner, if you can’t sell the message, no matter how good a cop you are, then you’re going to struggle to hold on to that job.

“She can redeem herself by changing her style somewhat, but … in terms of the optics, there is no way, despite his public support, that the premier Chris Minns can like what he’s seeing.”

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