It began with Operation Mascot, a controversial bugging operation of a staggering 114 people, mainly serving NSW police, based on seemingly false warrants and allegations, an operation in what has been described over the years since as a baseless "witch hunt" to settle old scores. Among those bugged was current Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas.

This painful wound lay hidden until mid-2012, when Fairfax Media's Neil Mercer published the explosive contents of a long-hidden internal police report into Mascot, the internal inquiry Strike Force Emblems, which investigated complaints into a number of people including another current NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn.

The report, as published in the Herald, said there was no evidence to bring criminal or disciplinary charges against Ms Burn or three other offices, but noted its inquiries into the complaints hit a roadblock when denied access to crucial documents and witnesses.

Those revelations may have been damaging enough – but other leaked documents published by Fairfax Media at the time also revealed that Commissioner Andrew Scipione was at the time the commander of SCIA, and was explicitly warned in November 2001 that some officers within the branch were worried about the legality of telephone taps and the release of "fictitious information" to obtain listening devices. There were other serious concerns about wrongdoing.

Fairfax Media has spoken to more than a dozen officers in recent months who perceive Mr Scipione has failed to show leadership on this issue, and has instead left these serious issues to fester to an unacceptable level.

Throughout the controversy, and the ensuing decision by then Premier Barry O'Farrell to refer the case for another secret review by the NSW Ombudsman, three of the top four officers in the NSW Police have said nothing. Mr Scipione has repeatedly denied knowledge of the final Emblems report, even though it was prepared for his predecessor Ken Moroney.

Indeed, Mr Scipione even promoted Ms Burn to a position where she is currently the Deputy Commissioner overseeing the counter-terrorism unit and other senior detectives – all this in the wake of Mercer's reports. The serious allegations remain unresolved.

It is more than just a bad look to a public which, in the face of an increasing terrorism threat, want to know there won't be squabbling over the command buttons in times of crisis.

The Herald understands the trio barely speak, communicate through their staff officers and while maintaining a professional veneer, police headquarters is as icy as a Canberra winter at best, dysfunctional at worst.

In their evidence to the parliamentary inquiry on Friday, both Mr Kaldas and Ms Burn agreed the ongoing controversy was not helpful to the hierarchy, and that it was a matter of public importance to get to the truth of the matter.

Well it's now time for someone – whether it's Mr Scipione or even the Premier Mike Baird – to finally show some leadership and end this toxic chapter of the force's existence.

Lisa Davies is the Herald's deputy news director and a former crime editor.