NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Wednesday confirmed she will retire in September after 38 years in the NSW Police Force.

Commissioner Webb said she decided to retire following discussions with her family.

Commissioner Webb had planned to announce her retirement on May 18 to commemorate the date she walked into the Goulburn Police Academy 38 years ago.

The Commissioner said her role as the first female police commissioner has been her greatest honour.

“I have recommended to the government that Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell act in my role,” Commissioner Webb said.

“I knew when the time was right I would know, and I wanted to give the State Government time to recruit and appoint a new Commissioner going into an election period in less than two years’ time,” she said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns congratulated Commissioner Webb on what is an historic career in the New South Wales Police Force.

“Commissioner Webb has stood tall in moments of crisis, led significant reform to policing, and staunchly defended law and order in this state,” Mr Minns said.

“She leaves behind a legacy of substance, both as the first female Police Commissioner of New South Wales, and someone who made lasting changes in that position.”

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb will retire in September.

Mr Minns said Commissioner Webb’s lasting legacy includes leading the response to the Bondi tragedy; establishing the Domestic Violence Registry; implementing new winding laws to get knives off the streets; establishing Strike Force Pearl and Operation Shelter to tackle antisemitism and hate crimes; tackling regional crime through Operation Regional Mongoose and Operation Soteria; achieving an historic pay rise for NSW police officers, including payment for student officers; last week overseeing the largest student police class in 11 years; and delivering critical infrastructure upgrades including a new police station at Helensburgh and critical upgrades to the Nemesis.

“Commissioner Webb will always be remembered as a trailblazing leader and a first-rate police officer. I wish her and her family the very best in the years to come,” Mr Minns said.

Commissioner Webb will officially be farewelled from the force when she walks off the parade ground at the Goulburn Police Academy at the next attestation in August.

The Commissioner is in discussions with the Government about working in critical areas specifically around women’s safety and domestic violence.