NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb sacks senior media adviser over Jesse Baird and Luke Davies criticism

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has sacked her chief media adviser weeks after she faced sustained criticism over her handling of the alleged murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.

Commissioner Webb on Wednesday told Liz Deegan that her services as executive director of public affairs were no longer required, firing her third media adviser after taking the job of top cop just over two years ago.

Ms Deegan began her role at NSW Police in April last year and has a long career in media, including stints at News Corp as an editor and with the chief corporate affairs officer.

The state’s top cop was criticized for taking three days to hold a presser on the deaths of Baird, a television presenter, and his partner Davies, a Qantas attendant. NSW Police Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon allegedly murdered the couple with his police-issued Glock pistol at Baird’s terrace share house in Paddington.

Commissioner Webb was also criticised for branding the alleged murders “a crime of passion” and making reference to pop singer Taylor Swift when defending her handling of the case, telling Sunrise “Hater’s going to hate”.

Ms Webb has also faced accusations she attempted to hide the fact police used a taser on 95-year-old nursing home resident Clare Nowland, who later died, in May 2023.

More to come.