NSW: The odds are on Moroney even before the ad appears
By Janine O'Neill, Police Reporter
SYDNEY, April 19 AAP - The ink's probably not even dry on the job ad for NSW's topcop, but if the NSW Government had its way Ken Moroney would already be police commissioner.
On Mr Moroney's first day as acting commissioner yesterday - a mere 24 hours afterEnglishman Peter Ryan had departed - NSW Police Minister Michael Costa backed the veterancop as his favoured candidate.
It was all smiles and back-slapping as Mr Costa delivered his ringing endorsement ofthe "cops' cop" with nearly 40 years' policing experience.
"We've got an interview process, but I won't beat around the bush," Mr Costa told journalists.
"He is certainly somebody I favour for the position, I make no apologies for that."
NSW Premier Bob Carr weighed in, praising the state's most senior police officer andsaying he would work well with Mr Costa.
It was not like this in the days of Peter Ryan.
Mr Ryan had a fractured relationship with Mr Costa, with blatant concerns about theseparation of powers.
The former commissioner made it clear the minister's "interference with the daily managementof the police service", prevented him from performing his duties to best efficiency.
It's obvious the warmth and "delight" portrayed yesterday was meant to convey a healthyworking relationship between the minister and the acting commissioner.
But that was day one and a public show.
It still remains to be seen who will run the show and if the new commissioner - whoeverhe or she is - will be forced to play second fiddle to Mr Costa in the lead-up to a law-and-orderelection.
Although it appears Mr Moroney is a shoo-in for the job, he must undergo a selectionprocess against other applicants for the full-time post which will be advertised nationallytomorrow.
Mr Moroney has said he accepted the government would have a firm eye on electoral saleabilitywhen reaching a decision.
The selling points are already clear.
Ken Moroney is a "tough cops' cop" with a reputation of being a quiet achiever whoenvisages a return to the basics of policing.
He even looks and sounds like a cop.
This is in stark contrast to Mr Ryan - a suave-dressing British bobby with a twistof arrogance who struggled to win the respect of a police force resentful of an outsider'sinfluence.
Mr Moroney has made it clear he is not a "yes man".
He had raised concerns with Mr Costa about their respective roles and the separationof powers principle, but denied he'd laid down the law to the minister.
"The issue of a separation of powers has long been a matter of discussion not onlyin this state, but every other state," he said.
"It's an important issue, we both understand that, we have a good working relationship.
"Now that issue has been discussed and it's been put to rest."
Both have said they share a view of a "back to basics" approach to police, increasedvisibility of police on the streets and greater responsiveness to crime.
"But I am my own person ... I'm quite methodical and I can be quite determined," MrMoroney has said.
"I have on occasions changed my mind on the balance of persuasive arguments.
"But never have I changed my mind as a result of any direction from another place."
The highest profile alternative candidate, Assistant Commissioner Clive Small, hasremained silent on the issue.
Mr Small, the government's current crime adviser, was sponsored as a future commissionerby former police minister Paul Whelan.
AAP jo/arb/las/sb
KEYWORD: POLICE (NEWSCOPE)
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