NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione has distanced himself from a surveillance operation that's opened divisions within the force's ranks.
Appearing before a state parliamentary inquiry on Wednesday, Mr Scipione rejected suggestions he played favourites with two deputies also caught up in the controversial police bugging inquiry.
The inquiry is examining Operation Mascot, established more than a decade ago by the Special Crime and Internal Affairs unit.
It was led by Mr Scipione for less than 12 months in 2001 - a year after listening device warrants were obtained to bug police.
More than 100 officers were targeted under Mascot.
It's caused great angst and tension in the upper echelons of the NSW police, including rivals and deputy commissioners Nick Kaldas and Catherine Burn.
Ms Burn was a team leader on Operation Mascot.
Mr Scipione said the tension between Ms Burn and Mr Kaldas, who claimed he was overlooked for promotion after being unjustly targeted by Mascot, had been felt by his executive team.
He said the matter needed thorough investigation with its findings made public.
