Mal Lanyon was appointed as the new police commissioner for New South Wales on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in his career. However, the announcement was accompanied by questions regarding his past judgment. Lanyon, who previously served as deputy commissioner, anticipated these inquiries and addressed them directly. "I've made mistakes in the past, and I've been open about them," he stated. "I've always sought to learn from those experiences and to lead with honesty, accountability, and integrity."

One notable incident from Lanyon's past involved an alcohol-related episode in Goulburn, where he was found lying on a footpath and later became aggressive toward a paramedic. He expressed regret over the situation, stating he had reached out to the paramedics to apologize for his behavior, which he described as "argumentative" and "out of character." He attributed his actions to fatigue at the time.

Another controversy arose when it was revealed that Lanyon had taken his wife and two friends aboard a police vessel on New Year's Eve 2023 while overseeing an operation. Although he had a legitimate reason to be on the vessel, he acknowledged that bringing his guests along was a misstep.

During a media conference, Lanyon handled a series of challenging questions with confidence, demonstrating why Premier Chris Minns selected him for the role. The position of police commissioner is highly scrutinized, and effective communication with the public is essential. Outgoing Commissioner Karen Webb was respected but not known for her public relations skills.

Premier Minns recognized the political risk in appointing Lanyon, given his past mistakes. Any future issues with Lanyon will reflect on the premier as well. However, Minns expressed confidence in Lanyon's ability to succeed. "The decision was not made based on who had the mistake-free, perfect record," he said. "We've made a decision based on who should be in that position on NSW's worst day."

Lanyon brings 38 years of experience in the police force, including leadership roles in the Crime Command and the Reconstruction Authority. Despite facing rivals and critics within the force, he has garnered significant respect, including from the Police Association. His ability to unite the police force was a crucial factor in his selection.

Questions about Lanyon's judgment were met with pushback from both the premier and Police Minister Yasmin Catley. Catley remarked, "It's unfortunate you're all focusing on such a narrow part of his career quite frankly." The premier defended Lanyon against criticisms, stating, "You can have an opinion on this appointment, you can have an opinion on Mal's career. But to tarnish him like that, with that kind of question, is unfair."

Minns acknowledged the challenges ahead for Lanyon, stating, "He has a massive job ahead of him. But we're confident we've picked the right person." The next five years will serve as a test for both the new commissioner and the premier's judgment.