Top-brass NSW cops to fight for leadership

The race to become the next NSW police commissioner has taken an interesting twist with Nick Kaldas putting in a last-minute application for the top job.

The former deputy police commissioner put his hand up to become the state's top cop just hours before Sunday night's deadline, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The move will pit him against his former colleague and bitter enemy, Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Catherine Burn, who's also thrown her police hat in the ring.

Outgoing commissioner Andrew Scipione will step down from the role in early April.

Mr Kaldas, 58, quit the force last year for medical reasons following an ugly public falling out with Ms Burn.

His rivalry with the deputy, along with having adverse findings made against him in the NSW Ombudsman's into the force's long-running internal bugging scandal, could hinder Mr Kaldas' chances of securing the top job.

Ms Burn was also found to have engaged in unlawful conduct in the report into Operation Spicer, but has since challenged the findings as being flawed.

Mr Kaldas, who was recently working in a counter-terrorism role in the Middle East, has the backing of the opposition and crossbench, with NSW Labor leader Luke Foley labelling him "the finest police officer of his generation".

Because Mr Kaldas stood down for medical reasons, legislation would need to be tweaked to allow for his re-entry.

Other contenders believed to have made a tilt for the role include Australian Border Force boss Roman Quaedvlieg and assistant commissioners Mick Fuller, Jeff Loy and Frank Mennilli.

Applications will be assessed by an independent panel of five before going to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Police Minister Troy Grant and cabinet.