Top cop responds to being brutally sacked in a sudden phone call from his new boss after she was promoted over his head
- Mick Willing was widely expected to become the new NSW police commissioner
- Colleagues and politicians were surprised when the premier picked Karen Webb
- She told Mr Willing he wasn’t part of her future plans and ended his contract
The former second in command of NSW Police has broken his silence on being sacked over the phone by his new boss after she was promoted over him.
Mick Willing, who used to be the NSW Police deputy commissioner, said he was ‘not really expecting’ to have his contract torn up in January by Karen Webb.
The former cop was widely expected to be the new NSW police commissioner, until Premier Dominic Perrottet surprised his colleagues and the rest of the force by appointing Ms Webb – the first female in the state to land the top job.
Mick Willing (pictured), who used to be the NSW Deputy Commissioner, said he was ‘not really expecting’ to have his contract torn up in January
Despite his shock, Mr Willing graciously said in a private Facebook post, which was seen by the Daily Telegraph, that he felt lucky to have served the state for more than 31 years.
‘A month to the day has passed since life took a turn I was not really expecting and I left the NSW Police Force after 31+ years of what was the most rewarding, amazing experience one could ever have,’ he wrote.
‘While it has taken me a few weeks, I want to thank everyone who has reached out and continues to reach out to offer their support and best wishes. It has been truly humbling.
‘I don’t think anything needs to be said about the circumstances of my leaving other than that I wish the NSW Police Force and its new leadership all the very best for the future.’
Mr Willing also said he felt privileged to have lead local area command, homicide squad, counter terrorism and special tactics, among many others, and will be ‘forever grateful for that honour’.
He thanked his wife Kirsten and family for their ongoing support.
Premier Dominic Perrottet surprised his colleagues and the rest of the force by appointing Karen Webb (pictured)
Commissioner Webb has remained tight-lipped about the phone call after she was asked about it in early February at a press conference on the day she was sworn in.
‘I don’t want to get into someone’s employment situation,’ she said.
‘People come and go throughout this organisation quite often, so the employment situation is not something that I talk about.
‘My job now is to get on with running the organisation, with forming my team, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.’
During his tenure, Mr Willing regularly addressed the state at the daily Covid-19 press conferences during lockdown and the Black Summer bushfires.
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