In a tragic turn of events, a 95-year-old woman died a week after a police officer fired a stun gun at her in a nursing home.
Clare Nowland, an elderly resident of Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma, Australia, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, following the incident. Constable Kristian White, 33, is the officer in question who used a stun gun on Nowland, a dementia patient. The fall resulting from the stun gun’s effect led to a skull fracture, necessitating her hospital stay since May 17.
Constable White is due in court on July 5 to answer to charges of recklessly inflicting serious physical injury, causing actual bodily harm through assault, and common assault. The charges, as made public by New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Wednesday, may be intensified in the wake of Nowland’s death.
The event unfolded at Yallambee Lodge, renowned for its specialized high-needs care including for dementia patients, when staff alerted police after Nowland obtained a serrated steak knife from the kitchen. White discharged his Taser as Nowland approached him with the knife in her walker.
This event has ignited a nationwide debate on the appropriate use of stun guns by police in similar situations and the competency of aged care staff. While police hold the right to use stun guns in life-threatening situations, the incident has spurred discussions on their suitability when engaging with elderly individuals.
A coroner will determine the cause of Nowland’s death. The police argue that her injuries were the result of the fall, not the Taser’s impact. White has been on paid leave and under internal scrutiny since the incident.
The decision to not publicize body camera footage of the event has been made by the police. In response to the incident, the present Australian government has committed more resources towards enhancing aged care services.