The NSW police officer who tasered a 95-year-old woman with dementia could have his charges upgraded after the great-grandmother died from her injuries.
Constable Kristian White was charged with three offences just hours before Clare Nowland died in Cooma Hospital on Wednesday night.
He was suspended with pay after tasering Mrs Nowland at the Yallambee Lodge aged-care facility in Cooma last week when she failed to drop a steak knife.
Mrs Nowland, who weighed just 43kg, clung onto life for a week after sustaining critical injuries in the incident, including a fractured skull.
White, 33, is due to face court in July on three charges, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
The most serious of the charges, recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
When asked at a press conference on Wednesday night if the charges might be upgraded, Police Commissioner Karen Webb said that was possible.
She described the tasering as "a nasty incident" but maintained the police investigation had been carried out properly and without prejudice.
"I am confident that this matter is before the court without interference," she said.
Ms Webb defended the decision to suspend White with pay, saying people were innocent until proven guilty.
"He's afforded the same opportunity as any other resident and his employment will continue to be reviewed, but at the moment he's still suspended from the workplace," she said.
NSW Police issued a statement saying the 95-year-old died peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones.
"Our thoughts and condolences remain with those who were lucky enough to know, love, and be loved by Mrs Nowland during a life she led hall-marked by family, kindness and community," the statement said.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley also offered her condolences to the Nowland family.
"We will continue to offer support to the Nowland family as they mourn this loss and we urge people to respect their privacy at this time," she said.
The state opposition is pressuring the government to release vision captured on the two attending officers' body cameras.
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