Steve Jackson: Veteran journalist hired as new media chief for NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb
Veteran journalist Steve Jackson has been hired as the chief flak catcher for the NSW Police Commissioner, just days after she sacked his predecessor.
Karen Webb dropped Liz Deegan after less than a year in the job following sustained criticism over the commissioner’s handling of the high-profile murders of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed Ms Deegan finished as director of public affairs on Wednesday, March 13.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We’d like to take this opportunity to wish her all the best in her future endeavours and thank her for her contribution to the NSWPF,” the spokesperson said.
Ms Deegan was the third media chief to be let go during Ms Webb’s time in the role.
Jackson declined to comment to The Nightly on the appointment.
The 43-year-old resigned from his role at Seven last week as a producer on current affairs show Spotlight.
Ms Webb was criticised for taking days to hold a media conference on the shock deaths of Mr Baird, a television presenter, and his partner Mr Davies, a Qantas attendant.
NSW Police Const. Beau Lamarre-Condon allegedly murdered the couple with his police-issued Glock pistol at Mr Baird’s terrace share house in Paddington in the eastern suburbs.
When Ms Webb did face reporters, her deputy, Dave Hudson, did most of the talking.
Ms Webb was also criticised for describing the alleged murders as “a crime of passion” and making reference to pop singer Taylor Swift when defending her handling of the case. “There will always be haters. Haters like to hate. Isn’t that what Taylor says?” Ms Webb told Sunrise.
Ms Webb later backtracked and blamed her comments on “Taylor fever”.
“We’ve just had Taylor Swift in the city, it was Taylor fever here,” she told Channel Nine.
“Certainly, my efforts have been on the investigation.”
The top cop has also faced allegations police tried to cover up the death of Clare Nowland at an aged-care home in Cooma after police took 36 hours to disclose a taser had been discharged at the 95-year-old grandmother.
