The newly appointed NSW Police Force Commissioner, Mal Lanyon APM has been warmly welcomed to the role by Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM. “This is a well-received choice as our State’s number one Police Officer.”
“After an extensive 38 year career in the Police Force, Commissioner Lanyon was the foundation head of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, demonstrating his capacity to tackle multifaceted issues, with a broad state-wide focus,” Mayor Firman said. “In that capacity, he was a guest speaker at a regional CMA meeting with a Roads and Transport theme.”
“Mayors throughout rural, remote and regional NSW will know that we have a Police Commissioner who is in touch and who does listen to our distinct challenges.”
“We’ve seen some innovative approaches to Police Force issues of late, including recruitment and retention initiatives. However, Commissioner Lanyon will have to hit the ground running, with diverse challenges ranging from Police protest responses to Police housing supply and modernisation needs in country NSW,” Mayor Firman said.
After much lobbying for a regional crime inquiry, the NSW CMA heralded the ‘Community safety in regional and rural communities’ inquiry as a victory, given the rising rates of regional crime, relative to Sydney. Almost 200 submissions were received and a NSW Government response to the Interim Report is due by 29 November 2025.
NSW Premier the Hon Chris Minns MP said his decision wasn’t made on who had a ‘perfect record’, but who could provide ‘exceptional leadership’ and the CMA Chairman endorses that sentiment.
“Commissioner Lanyon is straight talking, open and honest, with all the expertise and experience we could ask for,” Mayor Firman said.
“The CMA Board and Members have a positive and productive relationship with NSW Police Minister, the Hon. Yasmin Catley MP and I am sure our engagement with Commissioner Lanyon will be further enhanced, as the Government and the Force responds to the ‘Community safety in regional and rural communities’ inquiry reports, and the particular crime, safety and fear of crime concerns in parts of our CMA footprint.”
As part of their Inquiry, the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety has held meetings in the New England North West of the State this week and Mayor Firman commended the Committee for getting out to impacted communities.