NSW top cop is govt's decision: premier

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian denies members of an independent panel partly responsible for selecting the state's next police commissioner may be biased against one of the frontrunners.

Applications for a successor to Andrew Scipione close in just 10 days and former deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas, who left his old post for medical reasons, is "considering" throwing his hat into the ring.

Once applications close, they will be reviewed by an independent panel, with recommendations handed to Ms Berejiklian and then a decision going to cabinet.

The premier was on Wednesday forced to shut down suggestions two members of that panel - Blair Comley, the head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and Andrew Cappie-Wood, the Director General of the Department of Attorney General - may look unfavourably upon Mr Kaldas.

"This is a decision for government," Ms Berejiklian told 2GB radio.

"We're obviously open to their recommendations, we obviously encourage all the best candidates to come forward, and they will, and they have."

Ms Berejiklian said she was confident the best candidate will be given the role.

"I have very much confidence in the process, but the process has to run its course," she said.

Mr Scipione will step down from his post in April after bringing forward the date of his departure.

Mr Kaldas, now working for the UN in Jordan, has the backing of both the opposition and the Greens.

Another contender Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn however has been criticised over the handling of the Lindt cafe siege.

The conduct of both Ms Burn and Mr Kaldas was called into question during the force's long-running internal bugging scandal which could hinder the process for the top job.

Ms Berejilkian said she would "envisage" a decision would be made in March.