Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Catherine Burn has confirmed she is putting her hand up to be the state's next police chief, saying she's been "vindicated" over a police bugging scandal.
"I feel I have an obligation and a duty of care to the police force and the community of NSW to apply for the position of commissioner," she's told News Corp Australia.
She said she had been "vindicated" over the police bugging scandal and should not be punished for "mistakes" made 18 years ago during an internal affairs operation.
A NSW Ombudsman's report that found Ms Burn engaged in "unlawful conduct" when she was supervising the management of an informant who breached bail conditions.
She was also found to have engaged in "unreasonable conduct" by pursuing an investigation despite allegations being inaccurate or misrepresented.
"Crucially, the Ombudsman report found that I never acted illegally, I never acted unethically, I never did anything that was deliberate or intentionally wrong and I never had malice against anyone," Ms Burn told News Corp.
Her confirmation that she is up to replace outgoing Commissioner Andrew Scipione comes after former deputy commissioner and rival Nick Kaldas said he was "considering applying" too.
Mr Kaldas' also had adverse findings made against him in the Ombudsman's report over alleged accessing of material and alleged false evidence.
