Live: Culture in Australia's largest police force 'unacceptable'

Mal Lanyon and Kristen Hilton have spoken on the NSW Police independent culture review's findings. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow) The findings from a NSW Police independent culture review have been released. The review was launched in response to an ABC investigation which uncovered widespread allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination. Commissioner Mal Lanyon has vowed to overhaul the troubling culture in Australia's largest police force, which he said was "unacceptable". Link copiedShareShare articleBullying, discrimination and sexual harassment are occurring at "unacceptable levels" within the NSW Police Force and employees are too afraid to speak up, an independent report has found. More than 18 months after the review into the force's culture was launched in response to an ABC News investigation, which uncovered widespread allegations of bullying, harassment, discrimination and a dangerous lack of mental health support, its findings and recommendations have been released. Live updates, reactions and contributions from ABC readers. Kristen Hill says there has been a noticeable improvement in the culture at NSW Police related to the investment in mental health education. But she says there is more work to be done. "There is, I would say, still significant stigma in the organisation about seeking help," she said. "There's generations of people who haven't experienced that proactive help and it will take a concerted effort and significant resources to overcome that." Copy linkThu 11 Jun 2026 at 11:05amThu 11 Jun 2026 at 11:05am Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley says an audit review committee would report quarterly to ensure the recommendations were being implemented. Commissioner Lanyon says he will be "laser-focussed" on implementing those recommendations. He said it was "premature" to make a decision on whether additional funding was required to enforce those changes. "If there's further requirements, I'll certainly work with our minister," he said. Copy linkThu 11 Jun 2026 at 11:01amThu 11 Jun 2026 at 11:01am Commissioner Lanyon says it was hard to read some of the personal accounts of his officers. "They're my officers. I expect them to have a safe and respectful workplace. It is not something that is acceptable to me," he said. "That's why I'm firmly committed to implementing the recommendations and making sure that we do have that environment where the culture where people are prepared to speak up." Copy linkThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:58amThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:58am Ms Hilton said many officers felt they did not receive appropriate support after responding to a critical incident. "We sat for hundreds of hours and listened to women and men who carry with them scenes of unimaginable trauma, experiences of risk and danger, and fatigue," she said. "Many of them felt that they did not get the right support after a critical incident, but this is also starting to change." Copy linkThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:57amThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:57am Kristen Hilton says the review heard from officers who had lost trust in the NSW Police promotions process. "We also heard that women and those from culturally–diverse backgrounds face ongoing barriers when it comes to development and promotion, particularly if they're attempting to work flexibly," she said. "And while there are some excellent examples of flexible work, it remains the hard–fought–for exception, and the result of this is not abstract." Copy linkThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:54amThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:54am Former Victorian human rights commissioner Kristen Hilton, who led the independent review, is speaking now. She paid tribute to the "courage and the candour" people showed in participating in the review. "People spoke to us of their pride and their passion in their job, their sense of service and identity, but they also spoke to us of burnt–out, fatigue, discrimination and bullying," she says. Copy linkThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:52amThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:52am Commissioner Lanyon says there will be a review of the NSW Police recruitment process. "I'm incredibly pleased to see that the last two classes we had through the academy have been the largest we have had in 13 years," he said. "We have seen a 70 per cent increase in applicants for the New South Wales Police Force. "But I want to make sure that our criteria to recruit people reflect what we need in the inherent qualities of a police officer." Copy linkThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:49amThu 11 Jun 2026 at 10:49am Commissioner Lanyon says he is committed to improving the culture at NSW Police. "Whilst the review found that there is a deep connection with the organisation, it also found that there were harmful behaviours present in the New South Wales Police Force," he said. "Behaviours such as bullying, discrimination, and harassment, behaviours that are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. "The review also found that there was a culture where people feared speaking

Live: Culture in Australia's largest police force 'unacceptable'

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Live: Culture in Australia's largest police force 'unacceptable'

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