'Not unusual' to get gifts like top cop's gin: minister

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier in August banned the practice of using taxpayers' money to purchase alcohol for gifts and hospitality after she became engulfed in controversy for purchasing 50 bottles of gin.

She had been criticised for ordering the bottles of limited-edition "Commissioner's Gin", a custom-labelled spirit supplied by a friend, after her appointment to the job in 2022.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has banned the purchase of alcohol for gifts after a controversy. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission found Ms Webb should have disclosed her association with the supplier but said the purchase was in line with police policy and procedure.

She said she did not know her office had approached her friend until after the 50 bottles had been ordered.

Ms Catley told the hearing she did not remember when the gift was received and she did not consume the product, adding: "I put it on my shelf where it still sits".

The gin was one of many different types of "merchandise", such as coins, books and memorabilia, she had received from state police, the minister said.

"I was given it I assume as any minister would have been," she said, adding that she planned to leave it "right where it is".

Asked about another 50 bottles of gin still in police possession, Ms Catley said Ms Webb had always been truthful and accurate with her about the order.

The gin controversy follows criticism of Ms Webb over her handling of an alleged double murder in Sydney in February involving a serving officer.

At the time, Ms Webb 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 incident.

She has also come under fire 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