Former federal attorney-general Robert McClelland will head a review into how critical incidents involving NSW police are investigated.
Investigations into deaths or serious injuries during police operations have been criticised following the shooting death of mentally-ill man Adam Salter in November 2009 and the March 2012 death of Brazilian student Roberto Laudisio-Curti.
Premier Barry O'Farrell announced the review on Wednesday in a bid to improve public confidence in the system following two damning reports about how those investigations were carried out.
Mr McClelland will look at the adequacy of critical incident guidelines, as well as whether there is any unnecessary duplications of roles during investigations.
Additionally, Mr O'Farrell said the police commissioner will now be required to advise the ombudsman of all critical incidents, not just those that are subject to a formal complaint.
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Police will also be obliged to publish critical incident guidelines online.
"Our aim is to assure the community that police actions resulting in death or serious injuries will be thoroughly and objectively investigated," Mr O'Farrell told parliament.
"We owe that to the family and friends of those who are involved.
"We also owe it to the police ... They are subject to various allegations at times and if they aren't true they equally deserve to have their reputations restored."
The review's report is expected to be given to the government at the end of November, he said.
It comes after a June Police Integrity Commission (PIC) report found the police investigation into Mr Salter's death was flawed and that the four officers involved in the shooting knowingly gave false evidence.
Meanwhile in February, the NSW ombudsman criticised the police probe into Mr Curti's death, saying it failed to deal with the issue of police misconduct or comply with procedures.
The 21-year-old Brazilian student died after officers used tasers, capsicum spray, handcuffs and batons on him.
In response to NSW Ombudsman Bruce Barbour's recommendations that police be required to immediately tell his office of all critical incidents, Mr O'Farrell was initially reluctant, saying police did not need more accountability measures.
Police Association president Scott Weber on Wednesday welcomed his apparent change of heart, saying that officers deserve procedural fairness.
But he said it was also important that police continue to investigate critical incidents "because they have the unique skills and expertise".
But Greens MP David Shoebridge said it was time to end the practice of police investigating police.
"It is hoped that the review will allow for public submissions from the many people who have substantial concerns about the treatment of their grievances in the current system," he said.
