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It eventually led NSW Police to announce it had “ceased the temporary appointment” of Jackson after a wave of criticism.

“To best serve the interests of the NSW Police and community, the executive director, Public Affairs Branch, needs to be able to fulfil the duties of the role free from external distractions and ongoing media attention,” a police spokesperson said at the time.

Jackson was recruited after former head of media Liz Deegan departed in February following a series of high-profile gaffes by Webb. The commissioner had been criticised for failing to front the media for three days after police constable Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged with murdering Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies on February 19.

Deegan was the third head spinner to leave the NSW Police under Webb’s command, following predecessors Alex Hodgkinson and Grant Williams. Under NSW government public service laws, all three were entitled to 38 weeks of pay amounting to almost $700,000, according to answers provided to independent MP Rod Roberts.