The NSW Police force will no longer be able to use taxpayer money to hand out alcohol as gifts after it's most senior officer became embroiled in controversy for purchasing 50 bottles of gin.
Embattled NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Thursday scrapped the practice she inherited from her predecessor Mick Fuller.
The state's top cop controversially bought the bottles of limited-edition Commissioner's Gin, a custom-labelled spirit produced by a friend, after her appointment to the job in 2022.
While bought in accordance with policy, Ms Webb was rapped over the knuckles by the police watchdog for failing to disclose her friendship with the supplier.
She said she did not know her office had approached her friend until after the 50 bottles had been ordered.
A day after saying the high-end bottles were gifts for visiting dignitaries, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley conceded she'd also received a bottle after being sworn in but it remained on the shelf in her office.
"I haven't tried it, I'm not a gin drinker," Ms Catley told parliament on Thursday.
Her office later confirmed to AAP in a statement Ms Webb had decided to cease the practice of using taxpayers' money to buy alcohol for gifts and hospitality, effective immediately.
The coalition and crossbenchers have doggedly pursued the matter in parliament, causing yet another headache for the government after a year of missteps by Ms Webb.
The commissioner was forced on Wednesday night to quash "completely false" claims made under parliamentary privilege that the bottles were bought for personal and staff use.
"I have always acted honestly and in the best interest of the NSW Police Force and the people of NSW," she said, adding she had not tasted the gin.
Ms Catley dismissed any suggestion high-priced alcohol bought by the force to hand out as gifts was a new venture.
"This is a long tradition of the commissioner's office giving gifts," she said.
"All of these gifts were purchased under the police minister at the time, (coalition MP) Paul Toole."
Opposition leader Mark Speakman said he wouldn't suggest a total ban on the purchase of alcohol but noted the government couldn't justify "these sorts of lavish gifts".
"There are some appropriate circumstances where you would want to gift alcohol," he told reporters on Thursday.
"It's a matter of common sense and moderation."
The NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission on Wednesday said it had investigated the matter over many months and was satisfied the purchase was in accordance with policies and procedures.
The watchdog told AAP it had long intended to finalise the report by Tuesday and its release was not prompted by media coverage.
Ms Webb came under fire recently for her handling of an alleged double murder involving a serving officer.
She was accused of taking too long to front the public after the officer was charged, deflecting media scrutiny to her deputy and using flippant language to describe the crimes.
Ms Webb's decision to part ways with four previous media heads in the space of two years also came under scrutiny, after it was revealed the changes led to almost $700,000 in termination payments.
