NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb to answer questions to justify $11,000 spent on gin and gifts

Questions hang over NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb after she was cleared of serious misconduct over claims she bought $11,000 worth of alcohol using taxpayer funds.

Ms Webb was under investigation by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission after it received an anonymous complaint that she failed to declare a conflict of interest over the purchase of dozens of bottles of so-called ‘Commissioner’s Gin’ and gift boxes.

In a series of findings released late on Wednesday, the watchdog said it was satisfied the purchase followed policies and procedures, but it found Ms Webb “should have disclosed her association with the supplier when she became aware of the purchase” of the gin.

“The Commission recommended that all NSWPF employees, including the senior executive and the Commissioner of Police are regularly reminded of their duty to declare any conflict of interest, including a perceived conflict of interest,” the LECC findings read.

Shortly after her name was cleared, Independent MP Rod Roberts used parliamentary privilege to accuse Ms Webb and her staff of “using” some of the gin. Ms Webb denied the allegation as “completely false”.

“I invite public scrutiny as it is an important part of being NSW Police Commissioner, but these comments are solely intended to damage my personal reputation and have no basis in fact,” she said in a statement, AAP reports.

“The 50 bottles were purchased in accordance with policies and procedures as outlined by LECC. To date, 24 bottles have been distributed as gifts or donated for charity purposes.

“I have not tasted the Commissioner’s Gin and to suggest the bottles were purchased for personal and staff use is incorrect.”

During Question Time, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley, who said she received a bottle of the gin, defended the police chief, saying she was following a long-standing practice of giving alcohol as a gift to visiting dignitaries or for use at charity auctions.

“Following this precedent, as I understand it, the commissioner ordered bottles of alcohol from the same supplier as the former commissioner did,” Ms Catley said.

“I’m sure all of us have given wine as a gift ... it really does seem like quite an ordinary gift to give to me.”

While the LECC did not specify the nature of Ms Webb’s conflict of interest, the Daily Telegraph reports the owner of Hope Estate Winery and Distillery is a long-term friend of the police chief and her husband Marc.

The Daily Telegraph also reported the police chief and minister would front a press conference on Thursday afternoon to address the allegations, but a NSW Police spokesperson told The Nightly no such event was planned.

- with AAP