An outgoing police chief has batted away suggestions she was pushed from her role, as taxpayers foot a hefty bill for a replacement.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced last week she will retire in September after a three-year stint as the first woman to lead the force.
An interim commissioner has also been appointed while a recruitment process is run.
When repeatedly asked by reporters if the interim commissioner would be paid the same wage as Ms Webb - $679,000 per annum - Police Minister Yasmin Catley would not provide a clear answer.
She instead said: "they are being paid as they should be paid."
The minister further defended the decision to appoint Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell as interim commissioner, instead of having Ms Webb serve out her term before handing over the keys.
"This is very normal practice for senior officers when retiring to have a transition period, and that's exactly what's happening," Ms Catley said.
"The commissioner can choose to retire whenever she wishes, like any other senior executive."
Approaching the end of her 38th year in the force, Ms Webb denied she had been pushed out of the top job.
"There's a long list of things that I've done, and I've got nothing else to prove now," she said.
"It's really time that I can hand over, knowing that someone else can pick up the reins."
Several assistant and deputy commissioners are being touted as potential replacements, including frontrunner Mal Lanyon, who ran against Ms Webb in 2022 before shifting to the state's Reconstruction Authority.
Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood and Deputy Commissioner David Hudson are among other names floated.
NSW may look outside the force, like Victoria which will hand the reins to former New Zealand Police commissioner Mike Bush from June 27.
But Ms Webb backed one of her number being tapped to replace her.
"(Recruitment for) most police commissioner roles in Australia ... start out as a very wide search and then it narrows," she said.
"We are a big enough police force that we have plenty of talent and the person should come from NSW."
Premier Chris Minns said it was important the search for a new top cop produced the best candidate, not just someone from the state.
"I also agree, however, with some commentators and stakeholders who have said we've got exceptionally experienced, well-credentialed police officers who've come through the NSW Police Force," he said.
