After a career spanning more than three decades, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas is hanging up his handcuffs and retiring.
The veteran officer, who was tipped to replace Commissioner Andrew Scipione next year, shocked colleagues with the news on Friday.
It now leaves fellow Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn, who has had a difficult relationship with Mr Kaldas after she led a unit which bugged his phone, as a frontrunner for the top job.
Mr Kaldas' progression to deputy commissioner came despite being one of 100 officers bugged by the Special Crime and Internal Affairs Unit during a covert investigation more than a decade ago.
The scandal resulted in a parliamentary inquiry last year, which intensified the tension between Mr Kaldas and Ms Burn.
He told the inquiry the operation had denigrated, humiliated and maligned him and held his career back by several years.
The inquiry found Mr Kaldas was owed an apology and that Ms Burn had given contradictory evidence but was attempting to do the best job she could.
Mr Kaldas said at the time he could still work with Ms Burn despite the years of tension between them.
But on Friday, he wouldn't share his opinion on her ability to fill the top role, instead saying the appointment of the new commissioner would be a matter for the government.
Senior officers formed a guard of honour and saluted Mr Kaldas as he left Surry Hills police headquarters to make his retirement announcement.
"I look back on (my career) very fondly. I look back on it very proudly and now I'm looking ahead to a new chapter," he told reporters.
"I've made the decision for very personal reasons ... and I rest on my record and walk out hopefully with my head held high."
Mr Kaldas, now believed to be considering an international role, says he's not sure he saw himself in the commissioner role as much as others did.
He listed roles with the homicide and armed hold-up squads, bridging the gap between police and Sydney's diverse communities, and being the first person from a non-English speaking background to reach his rank among his greatest achievements.
But it's the people with whom he has worked that he is most proud of.
"We're blessed with the talent we have in NSW. We're blessed with the senior officers in the organisation and I wish them all the best," he said.
The Police Association said the departure of "one of the finest police officers Australia has ever produced" was a sad day.
Mr Scipione paid tribute Mr Kaldas' 34-year career.
"He has had an outstanding career and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his dedication to this organisation," he said in a statement.
"I want to acknowledge his significant contribution and dedication to the police force and the wider community.
Mr Kaldas' career also included deployment to Iraq as a senior police adviser to the federal government in 2004 and working with the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon in 2009 to investigate the assassination of prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri.
Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie has been named acting deputy until a permanent replacement is announced.
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