Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader has welcomed the appointment of Mal Lanyon as NSW’s new Police Commissioner, saying his leadership during the Northern Rivers flood recovery proved he is the right person for the role.

Cr Cadwallader returned to Council duties this week after spending two intensive days in Sydney and Goulburn as part of the NSW Police “Behind the Blue Line” program, designed to give community leaders a firsthand look at life on the frontline.

Her experience included a night shift in Auburn — one of Sydney’s busiest patrol areas — and advanced training exercises at the Goulburn Police Academy.

“It gave me a heightened appreciation of what police do every day to keep us safe,” she said.

 “The sheer volume of jobs was overwhelming — up to 70 call-outs per shift in some patrols — with domestic violence and mental health among the biggest challenges. 

“It’s not an easy job by any measure.”

The mayor said the program also underlined the importance of strong leadership at the top of the NSW Police Force.

“I worked very closely with Mal Lanyon when he was seconded to lead the NSW Reconstruction Authority after the 2022 floods,” Cr Cadwallader said.

 “He was approachable, inclusive and gave you confidence in his decision-making. 

“He knows Ballina and the Northern Rivers well, and I’m delighted he has been appointed to this role.”

While policing numbers in Ballina remain a concern, Cr Cadwallader said reforms underway — such as paying recruits during training and allowing them to choose station placements — could help improve staffing levels over time.

Deputy Commissioner Lanyon will formally step into the state’s top policing job on October 1, taking over from outgoing Commissioner Karen Webb. 

He brings nearly four decades of experience across major crime-fighting, disaster response and regional operations.

For Cr Cadwallader, the timing could not be better.

“Having seen firsthand what police face on the beat, I know how important it is that communities like Ballina have the support and resources they need,” she said.
“I look forward to working with Commissioner Lanyon to ensure our region remains a safe and resilient place to live.”