A 95-year-old woman died a week after being tased by a police officer at a nursing home.
The elderly woman, identified as Clare Nowland, was a resident of Yallambee Lodge, a nursing home in Cooma, Australia. She died on Wednesday, May 24, following an incident involving Constable Kristian White. The 33-year-old officer discharged a stun gun at Nowland, which led to her falling and suffering a skull fracture. Nowland, diagnosed with dementia, had been hospitalized since the incident took place on May 17.
Constable White is set to appear in court on July 5, facing charges of recklessly causing severe bodily harm, inflicting actual bodily harm through assault, and general assault. New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced the charges on Wednesday, hinting that they could be upgraded in the wake of Nowland’s subsequent demise.
The unfortunate episode unfolded at Yallambee Lodge, a facility dedicated to providing high-needs care, including for dementia patients. The event was precipitated by Nowland acquiring a serrated steak knife from the kitchen. Constable White used the stun gun when Nowland approached him with her walker and the knife in hand.
Nowland’s tragic death has ignited a nationwide debate about the appropriate use of stun guns by police officers, particularly in cases involving senior citizens, and about the competence of home care staff. While police are permitted to use stun guns when lives are perceived to be in danger, questions have arisen about the prudence of such tactics with the elderly.
The definitive cause of Nowland’s death will be determined by a coroner. The police maintain that her injuries were a result of the fall, not the stun gun discharge. Following the incident, White has been placed on paid leave and is subject to an internal investigation.
Currently, the police are withholding body camera footage from public scrutiny. The Australian government has vowed to enhance aged care services in response to this incident.
