NSW’s new top cop has returned to his first-ever beat for his first day on the job.

Mal Lanyon took the reins of the NSW Police on Wednesday after the early departure of Commissioner Karen Webb.

Outside the historic Balmain courthouse, Mr Lanyon said it felt like “coming back home”.

“A police officer never forgets where they first started,” he said.

The incoming Commissioner began his career almost 40 years ago at nearby Glebe police station, then part of the Eighth Division, covering Balmain, Glebe and Leichhardt.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley said Mr Lanyon “cut his teeth” on the frontlines in the Inner West “chasing notorious criminals”.

“They were all bad bastards, but he caught them all,” Ms Catley said.

Speaking of Mr Lanyon’s early days, Ms Catley said Mr Lanyon immediately s

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