The NSW senior police constable who tasered a 95-year-old great-grandmother in her nursing home has been suspended from duty.
NSW Police said on Tuesday the 33-year-old had been pulled from the job as investigations continued into the tasering of Clare Nowland at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma last Wednesday.
The senior constable, who has 12 years experience in the force, remains on full pay.
Mrs Nowland, who has dementia and weighs just 43 kilograms, was using a walking frame when she was hit with a police taser, after allegedly failing to drop a steak knife.
The mother of eight fell and hit her head, receiving critical injuries. She is now receiving end-of-life care in Cooma District Hospital.
The unnamed senior constable behind the tasering had previously been stood down from active duties, as and investigation led by the homicide squad and the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, and overseen by the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission continued.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said on Tuesday there was “a lot riding” on the investigation.
Asked on Nine’s Today show if officers could have handled the confrontation with Mrs Nowland differently, she said: “We don’t know that.
“We don’t know why the aged-care facility called police in the first place.
“Police officers are trained in a number of tactical options to use the least amount of force.
“Until we actually understand why, we won’t really know.”
Ms Webb has still not watched body-cam footage of the incident, despite increasing public pressure and outrage.
“As a decision maker, I may watch this video when all the evidence comes before me,” she told Today co-host Karl Stefanovic on Tuesday.
“But, by watching that video now won‘t make the investigation go faster.
She said Mrs Nowland’s family – who remain at the 95-year-old’s bedside – had told local police they did not yet want the video made public.
Elsewhere, NSW opposition spokesman for police Paul Toole said the situation was “confronting” for all involved.
“The incident has raised serious concerns and ignited public outrage, emphasising the critical need for accountability and clarity,” he said.
Mr Toole said he had been in contact with Mrs Nowland’s family.
Meanwhile, federal Greens MP David Shoebridge said police had used excessive force and it was “extraordinary” that officers had been called to the nursing home at all.
“It’s extraordinary that a 95-year-old woman … who was obviously in distress, and obviously needed assistance instead had police turn up to her nursing home, apparently taser her twice, see her fall to the ground and be hospitalised,” he said on Monday.
“That is such a grossly unreasonable use of force.”
While acknowledging significant community concern, Premier Chris Minns said he remained confident police and the LECC could carry out a fair investigation.
“At this point in the investigation, it is important to let the work take place,” he said on Monday.
“They need to collect evidence, they need to take statements. They’ll have more to say in the coming days.”
Dementia Support Australia’s Steve Macfarlane called for more training for aged care workers, saying the situation should never have escalated to a point where police were called.
“Aged care staff really need to have the skills to de-escalate these sort of situations themselves,” he told ABC TV.
There is no mandatory training required for aged care workers on dealing with dementia patients.
-with AAP
