Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Catherine Burn has thrown her hat in the ring to replace Andrew Scipione as the state's top cop, with the aim of being the first female appointment to the role.
She joins several internal and external candidates jostling for the role, the path to which is mired in internal controversy, restructures and lengthy postponements.
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Andrew Scipione announces retirement
The NSW Police Commissioner announces the date of his retirement to a group of press in Sydney. Vision courtesy: ABC News 24
Mr Scipione recently brought his retirement forward to April after serving an extra two years due to a police bugging scandal that plagued the upper levels of the force and involved his two obvious successors, deputy commissioners Nick Kaldas and Ms Burn.
The government also interviewed candidates late last year to increase the number of deputies from three to five as part of a broader restructure, yet the positions remain unfilled.
Mr Kaldas retired from the force last year, but it's understood he is still considering applying for the job.
On Sunday, Ms Burn revealed she would apply, saying she would build on progress made under Mr Scipione in reducing crime and increasing public confidence in the integrity of the police force.
"It has been my great privilege to serve in the NSW police force for 33 years, the last seven as Deputy Commissioner," she said.
"I would regard it as a great honour and a duty to continue to build on the outstanding progress we have made in recent times by serving the community of NSW as their Police Commissioner. But that is for others to decide."
Ms Burn started her career at Chatswood police station in 1984 and had aspirations of working her way up to the Homicide Squad.
She has previously said she still "pinches" herself at her rise to the top brass, saying it has just been about "timing and opportunity".
As Deputy Commissioner of Specialist Operations, she has overseen counter-terrorism strategy at a critical time in NSW.
Other internal applicants include assistant commissioners Mick Fuller, Jeff Loy, Frank Mennilli and Geoff McKechnie.
Australian Border Force head Roman Quaedvlieg is also understood to have applied. Fairfax Media reported earlier this month that he would want a remit to undertake moderate reform at the top if appointed.
Ms Burn's and Mr Kaldas' chances of a promotion have been hampered by the long-running bugging scandal and subsequent investigation by the NSW Ombudsman.
Ms Burn was the team leader of an internal affairs unit that bugged many innocent police and civilians, including Mr Kaldas and his family, more than 15 years ago.
The Ombudsman's report, finally handed down in December, found that Mr Kaldas could face criminal charges for giving "false and misleading testimony" in a secret hearing over the bugging scandal, while Ms Burn engaged in "unreasonable" and "unlawful" conduct.
In a lengthy statement, she repudiated the findings, saying the bugging occurred in the aftermath of the Wood royal commission when allegations of corruption had to be fully investigated.
"While mistakes occurred ... I can say with complete confidence that, at all times, I performed my role conscientiously, ethically, honestly and in accordance with my oath of office, statement of values and the law," she said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she welcomed candidates from inside and outside the force.