Current 95yo Clare Nowland Tased by Police RIP - NSW *Sen Constable Kristian White charged

[BFew]

A lengthy/detailed must read.
The comparisons with Victoria are interesting.

Police axed training that ‘could have prevented’ Taser death: former cop

NSW Police axed a program to help officers deal with people suffering from mental health issues, including dementia, years before 95-year-old Clare Nowland was killed.

www.smh.com.au

'Police axed training that ‘could have prevented’ Taser death: former cop​

Charlotte Grieve​

June 18, 2023 — 5.00am
...
NSW Police axed an award-winning training program to help front-line officers deal with people suffering from mental health issues, including dementia, in a move that former commanders claim has put lives at risk.

Former NSW Police commander David Donohue said there were real questions about whether the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, after a police officer Tasered her during a dementia episode, would have been preventable if the training he designed was still available.
....'

 

[Awakening]

What police refused to tell you about Tasering of 95-year-old gran - and every Australian should be furious: Astonishing draft document shows how cops deleted ALL of the key details from initial press release​

Revealed: What police refused to tell you about Taser gran incident

Mention of a Taser, a knife and a 95-year-old's movements were removed from the first public statement NSW Police drafted about the fatal stunning of the great-grandmother.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[BFew]

What police refused to tell you about Tasering of 95-year-old gran - and every Australian should be furious: Astonishing draft document shows how cops deleted ALL of the key details from initial press release​

Revealed: What police refused to tell you about Taser gran incident

Mention of a Taser, a knife and a 95-year-old's movements were removed from the first public statement NSW Police drafted about the fatal stunning of the great-grandmother.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The reporting of this across the media appears like a concerted unfair beat-up attempt to criticise the NSW Police Commissioner, NSW Police Minister ,and attack the new NSW Labor Government in general.

 

[Kurve]

What police refused to tell you about Tasering of 95-year-old gran - and every Australian should be furious: Astonishing draft document shows how cops deleted ALL of the key details from initial press release​

Revealed: What police refused to tell you about Taser gran incident

Mention of a Taser, a knife and a 95-year-old's movements were removed from the first public statement NSW Police drafted about the fatal stunning of the great-grandmother.

www.dailymail.co.uk

This is a really bad look for NSW Police, they're trending on twitter.

From SBS:

NSW Police is accused of a cover-up after documents revealed mention of paramedics, a knife and a Taser were removed in their first statement about the
fatal stunning of a 95-year-old great-grandmother
, new documents reveal.

A 71-word press release, approved by Police Commissioner Karen Webb was issued 12 hours after Mrs Nowland was injured but provided little detail about her "interaction with police".
"No further details are available at this time," it said.
But documents obtained by AAP under Freedom of Information laws reveal the statement was published after police slashed a much-longer draft that included several key details, including the use of the Taser.

Police changed statement on 95-year-old woman's fatal stunning, documents reveal

NSW Police removed mention of paramedics, a knife and a Taser in their first statement about the tasering of a 95-year-old grandmother, according to new documents.

www.sbs.com.au

 

[BFew]

This is a really bad look for NSW Police, they're trending on twitter.

I'm 100% ok with key details being kept from the public until all family members had been notified.

 

[Kurve]

I'm 100% ok with key details being kept from the public until all family members had been notified.

If that's the reason why key details were removed from the first statement, then I can understand it.

 

[BFew]

SMH has even published a BS late arvo editorial on the matter.
Using words like "media manipulation", "covering up", "pull down the shutters", "close ranks".

IMO, the media manipulation appears to be more coming from the SMH here than NSW Police.

Taser cover-up undermines confidence in police leadership

Senior NSW Police have been caught covering up the use of a Taser in the death of a 95-year-old aged care resident.

www.smh.com.au

 

[BFew]

If that's the reason why key details were removed from the first statement, then I can understand it.

That's what the media are reporting.
Including every one of the articles quoted in here today on the matter.

Taser cover-up undermines confidence in police leadership

Senior NSW Police have been caught covering up the use of a Taser in the death of a 95-year-old aged care resident.

www.smh.com.au

'when the draft was sent higher up for review it was cut in half. Webb later defended the omissions. “It was important the family was informed of the situation in a factual matter before we went public on it,” she said. Police sat on the details for two days before they leaked and eventually released the original media statement.'

Top NSW cops covered up Tasering of Clare Nowland

The revelations have forced premier Chris Minns to defend his embattled police minister, Yasmin Catley.

www.smh.com.au

'“There’s certainly no cover-up here,” Webb said. “It was important that investigators informed the Nowland family before they heard it on public news radio.”'

Revealed: What police refused to tell you about Taser gran incident

Mention of a Taser, a knife and a 95-year-old's movements were removed from the first public statement NSW Police drafted about the fatal stunning of the great-grandmother.

www.dailymail.co.uk

''It was important the family was informed of the situation in a factual matter before we went public on it,' she told Sydney radio 2GB on May 22.

'That's very necessary and I'm sure that family appreciates that now.'

She denied police were hiding anything, saying the Nowland family deserved to learn about the incident via police, not media reports.'

NSW police minister challenged over altered statement on 95-year-old's fatal stunning

NSW Premier Chris Minns has rejected calls to sack his police minister after it was revealed that police removed mention of paramedics, a knife and a Taser in their first statement about the tasering of a 95-year-old grandmother.

www.sbs.com.au

'"It was important the family was informed of the situation in a factual matter before we went public on it," she told Sydney radio 2GB on 22 May.

"That's very necessary and I'm sure that family appreciates that now."

She denied police were hiding anything, saying the Nowland family deserved to learn about the incident via police, not media reports.'

 

[BFew]

The NSW Liberal leader of the Opposition even used the issue to aim competency allegations at the NSW Police Minister today, and ridiculously calling for her to resign over the matter.

Wouldn't surprise me if there were some NSW Government opinion polling happening in the next week, and some are trying to boost the polling of the NSW LNP and it's new leadership team.

Top NSW cops covered up Tasering of Clare Nowland

The revelations have forced premier Chris Minns to defend his embattled police minister, Yasmin Catley.

www.smh.com.au

'The revelations forced Premier Chris Minns to defend his embattled police minister, Yasmin Catley, after she told parliament on Wednesday she was unaware of the altered statement.

That admission prompted opposition leader Mark Speakman to suggest Catley should resign as a minister, accusing the police of a “cover-up” and saying she was “not up to the job”.'

 

[BFew]

Which witnesses might have been threatened, and by whom?

Not good.

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/cop-who-allegedly-tasered-clare-nowland-faces-court/news-story/1935f6cade7583bc42f543d6080c5489

'Tirade over cop charged with tasering 95yo great grandmother'​

'July 5, 2023 - 3:57PM
...
On Wednesday, Magistrate Roger Clisdell blasted the crown prosecutor’s decision to allow the suspended police officer to appear in court virtually.

“Who runs this court, Ms Stuart? You or me?” he asked crown prosecutor Sally Stuart in a raised voice.
...
Mr White’s lawyer Warwick Anderson opposed the request for his client to be placed on bail, telling the court it had no “meaningful efficacy”.

“There is no flight risk,” he said.

“He’s not in a position of committing further offences.”

The magistrate agreed and branded the crown application an attempt to placate anyone who might be “upset” about the officer’s lack of restrictions.

He declined to impose bail on the 33-year-old and said he would be excused from attending court on the next occasion.

The sequence of alleged events on May 17 was heavily redacted when it was tendered to the court, “likely for public interest and safety reasons”.
...
Mr Clisdell referred to “serious” threats made towards witnesses in the case, which the court was told was very much “in the public eye”.

Mr White maintained a blank face as he listened to the Magistrate’s tirade from an undisclosed location.

The matter will return to court in September and it will be managed by the DPP.

One of Mrs Nowland’s granddaughters watched the proceedings in court and left quickly in a distressed state.

 

[jason_recliner]

Officer said 'na bugger it' before tasering 95yo Clare Nowland, court documents allege

 

[latinoheat]

Officer said 'na bugger it' before tasering 95yo Clare Nowland, court documents allege

He’s in a bit of strife. Should have exercised better judgement

 

[BFew]

Were they possibly concerned that she might throw the knife at them ....?

Clare Nowland allegedly threw a knife at one of the carers.

NSW police officer said ‘na bugger it’ before tasering Clare Nowland, court documents allege

Prosecutors will allege officer Kristian White’s actions were ‘grossly disproportionate’ and ‘excessive’ after 95-year-old grandmother died after the incident

www.theguardian.com

'NSW police officer said ‘na bugger it’ before tasering Clare Nowland, court documents allege'​

'Wed 19 Jul 2023 17.20 AEST
...
The court document outlined in detail the alleged events that led up to the moment Nowland was Tasered.

At about 3.10am on 17 May, the documents says the registered nurse on duty at the aged care facility found Nowland in the corridor, on her walking frame, carrying two knives. The nurse suspected she had found those in the kitchen. After the nurse requested Nowland drop the knives, the great-grandmother replied “no”.

The documents allege Nowland was then found holding two knives while standing at the foot of another resident’s bed.

One staff member left to call Nowland’s family, but failed to reach them. She was then allegedly advised after a phone call to the facilities manager to call an ambulance as they believed Nowland should be taken to hospital and sedated. Around this time, Nowland is said to have thrown a knife at one of the carers. It missed and landed on the floor.

Ambulance officers requested police assistance.

White and another police officer arrived at the nursing home. The court documents allege Nowland was seated at a desk in an office chair with a knife and torch in her hand, and her walking frame next to her.

The court documents allege she was repeatedly requested by an ambulance officer to drop the knife.

She allegedly raised the knife towards the assisting police officer, and then she walked towards the doorway “very slowly” using her walking frame. It was then that White allegedly directed his Taser towards Nowland’s chest for the first time, activating a display of lights and a laser pointer, and directed her to stop.

But, the court document alleges, Nowland did not respond, and the assisting officer put her foot out to stop the walker as Nowland reached the doorway. Nowland allegedly raised the knife again, causing the assisting officer to move backwards.

The court documents allege the police and ambulance officer continued to encourage Nowland to put the knife down. White allegedly says to Nowland: “Clare, stop now, see this, this is a taser, drop it now, drop it, this is your first warning.”

Once Nowland crossed the doorway, White allegedly urged Nowland to again stop and activated the Taser’s visual and audio warning after the assisting officer advised him to do so.

After Nowland did not respond, White allegedly said: “See you are going to get tasered … Clare stop.”

The court documents allege Nowland raised the knife again after the assisting police officer attempted to block her walker.

Nowland then allegedly stopped, raised the knife towards the police officer, and remained stationary. White allegedly Tasered her from 1.5-2 metres away, causing Nowland to fall back and strike her head on the wooden floor.

According to the court documents, the ambulance officers rushed forward to provide medical assistance and secure the knife. Afterwards, Nowland was taken to the local hospital.
...'

 

[BFew]

Charges upgraded to Gran/Manslaughter this morning.

This case will probably now forever be known as the Granslaughter Taser case.

NSW police officer charged with manslaughter over fatal tasering of Clare Nowland in NSW nursing home

Clare Nowland, who had dementia, died in Cooma Hospital in May a week after allegedly being tasered by Senior Constable Kristian White at her Yallambee Lodge nursing home.

www.abc.net.au

​

'Posted 6m ago6 minutes ago, updated 4m ago'

'Charges against a police officer accused of fatally tasering a 95-year-old woman in a regional New South Wales nursing home have been upgraded to manslaughter.'

'Senior Constable White remains suspended from duty with pay.
He is scheduled to appear at Cooma Local Court next week.
...'

 

[Pamcake1]

Charges upgraded to Gran/Manslaughter this morning.

This case will probably now forever be known as the Granslaughter Taser case.

NSW police officer charged with manslaughter over fatal tasering of Clare Nowland in NSW nursing home

Clare Nowland, who had dementia, died in Cooma Hospital in May a week after allegedly being tasered by Senior Constable Kristian White at her Yallambee Lodge nursing home.

www.abc.net.au

​

'Posted 6m ago6 minutes ago, updated 4m ago'

'Charges against a police officer accused of fatally tasering a 95-year-old woman in a regional New South Wales nursing home have been upgraded to manslaughter.'

'Senior Constable White remains suspended from duty with pay.
He is scheduled to appear at Cooma Local Court next week.
...'

Charged on the body cam footage being reviewed. I don't understand why the nursing staff or Police didn't just try and capture her in a blanket like you would a bird that had flown inside. Let's face it overkill to use any kind of weapon....all happening in slow motion with a freaked out dementia patient of 95.....they are not even going to hear the instruction to drop it if they are delussional and scared. a travesty.

 

[HairyO]

I don't understand why the nursing staff or Police didn't just try and capture her in a blanket like you would a bird that had flown inside.

You'd do that to an eagle with razor sharp talons?

She had a knife and was waving it around. She had been throwing knives at people.

Also, she died from falling and banging her head, didnt she? Wouldnt throwing a blanket on a 95 year old also be likely to have them fall and bang their head?

The list of things the police should have done is going to end up as farcical as Tribunal cases where the AFL and defence counsel trade ludicrous ideas on what the player should have done.

 

[BFew]

4 week trial commences in December 2024
White has asked for it to be judge only. (decision on this 14 Oct).

Police officer accused of killing 95-year-old Clare Nowland with stun gun to argue he used reasonable force, court hears

Senior constable Kristian White due to face four-week trial for manslaughter of Cooma aged-care resident. He has pleaded not guilty

www.theguardian.com

'
His barrister, Troy Edwards SC, on Wednesday told the NSW supreme court he intended to bring a police expert on the use of force as a witness, who would argue White acted reasonably under the circumstances.

When asked if the officer intended to claim self-defence, Edwards said it was unlikely.

Prosecutors intend to bring their own police experts as witnesses and are compiling video evidence, including CCTV recordings and body-camera footage.
...
Both sides have flagged plans to call on police experts as witnesses when the four-week trial commences in November.'

 

[Rob R]

Found guilty by jury. Given bail pending advice on how he will be kept safe in custody

On SM-A136B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[dumb]

There are other things that he/they could have attempted but many of those will have put himself and the lady in danger. But, it sounds like his actions fell outside of the police processes that would legally protect him.

 

[GROTTO]

There are other things that he/they could have attempted but many of those will have put himself and the lady in danger. But, it sounds like his actions fell outside of the police processes that would legally protect him.

Im just curious about what danger was he in?

She was a 95 year old woman under 48kgs, that used a walking frame and was frail.

 

[dumb]

Im just curious about what danger was he in?

She was a 95 year old woman under 48kgs, that used a walking frame and was frail.

i don't know, i know there's footage but i probably won't watch it.

it's easy to say you should be able to disarm a little old lady, until she stabs you. it comes down to what kind of risks people are happy to subject themselves to, and their training. it's moot though as it sounds like he went outside his police processes and didn't listen to authority.

 

[BFew]

Im just curious about what danger was he in?

Danger in not getting enough sleep if he didn't take her down ASAP?

 

[Cmarsh]

I'd like to know what other reasonable means there were of disarming this person, without risking getting injured or worse. Clearly the staff that care for her were out of ideas as they had already called police.

 

[GROTTO]

i don't know, i know there's footage but i probably won't watch it.

it's easy to say you should be able to disarm a little old lady, until she stabs you. it comes down to what kind of risks people are happy to subject themselves to, and their training. it's moot though as it sounds like he went outside his police processes and didn't listen to authority.

He is a trained police officer, there was basically zero chance she could have effectively stabbed him in that exact scenario which he found himself in. He had various alternative actions he could have had made.

Youre missing the key point here, she was a frail old woman who is almost 100 years old, weighing less than 50kgs, who struggled to move without the aid of a walking frame.

I may have even had a different opinion if it was member of staff or the public.

The jury made the correct decision.

 

[GROTTO]

I'd like to know what other reasonable means there were of disarming this person, without risking getting injured or worse. Clearly the staff that care for her were out of ideas as they had already called police.

If he was even remotely a chance of getting injured or worse, the jury would not have found him guilty.