By Jordan Baker

Copyright theage

The incoming NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has been forced to defend his reputation during his first press conference, under intense questioning about a drunken incident in Goulburn.

Lanyon said he was now mindful of his drinking and practised moderation, and acknowledged his past misjudgements.

“I have made mistakes in the past, and I’ve been open about [them],” he said. “I’ve always sought to learn from those experiences and to lead with honesty and accountability. Public confidence is earned, not just by … results but by consistency and transparency.”

After months of speculation, rumours and bitter factional politics at the top of the NSW Police Force, Labor appointed Lanyon, a deputy commissioner who was on secondment to the Reconstruction Authority, to the top job.