Investigation launches after police use taser and pepper spray on elderly man
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Content Warning: This article mentions violence, injuries and allegations of police brutality, which may be distressing for some readers. Discretion is advised.
Over the past couple of years, incidents of alleged police brutality have sparked global anger and heated debate, particularly when unarmed people and the elderly have been affected.
One case of this is when care home resident Clare Nowland was tasered in New South Wales back in May this year after she allegedly approached the officers while holding her knife and failing to drop it. Sadly, she died from her injuries.
A follow-up story on this incident was an accusation against the NSW police force of a cover-up in their handling of the situation. Read more about the story here.
While no one should ever be subjected to such a heartless and severe experience, unfortunately, we need to share the story of one elderly man who was allegedly was tasered and pepper sprayed by two police officers at a residential facility last month.
On 26 October, in Adelaide’s south, an elderly man was allegedly tasered and pepper sprayed by two police officers in a care home after an altercation between them, resulting in minor injuries.
‘The man, aged in his 60s, was restrained by police and sustained minor injuries during the arrest,’ the police said.
After a complaint was made to the Office for Public Integrity and South Australia Police, bodycam footage of the incident was viewed, and investigators began criminal and disciplinary investigations.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens declared a commissioner’s inquiry into the incident.
‘As this incident is the subject of a complaint, the Police Complaints and Discipline Act would ordinarily prohibit the disclosure or publication of information in connection with it,’ the police said.
‘However, the commissioner has determined to authorise both the disclosure and publication of the above information in relation to this complaint, as it is in the public interest to do so,’ they added.
‘No further information in relation to this incident is to be disclosed or published, pursuant to the Police Complaints and Discipline Act.’
After reviewing the footage, the two officers have been removed from duty.
Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams said that the inquiry will be led by a senior police officer and that the Office for Public Integrity will oversee the situation.
‘They have complete oversight,’ Williams said.
She also said that the police responded ‘swiftly’ when they became aware of the incident on Sunday.
‘I think you can read from the response that there is a level of concern that justified a commissioner’s inquiry,’ she added.
However, there will be no disclosure as to whether the man was a resident or an employee of the facility and what events have transpired before the deployment of force.
Williams said that the inquiry might take longer than needed to develop a full picture of what happened. But she was confident about how police officers deployed force in South Australia.
She said, ‘We have a very rigorous training process, and we have a rigorous oversight process in relation to the use of all forms of use of force in the South Australian police.’
‘I’m confident that in the majority of cases, police officers exercise those authorities appropriately.’
It was alleged that the investigation only began when a public complaint was filed, as the incident was not reported up the chain of command. Williams said that this would be investigated as well.
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Members, always stay safe!
What are your thoughts about this incident in Adelaide? Have you or anyone you know witnessed incidents like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Over the past couple of years, incidents of alleged police brutality have sparked global anger and heated debate, particularly when unarmed people and the elderly have been affected.
One case of this is when care home resident Clare Nowland was tasered in New South Wales back in May this year after she allegedly approached the officers while holding her knife and failing to drop it. Sadly, she died from her injuries.
A follow-up story on this incident was an accusation against the NSW police force of a cover-up in their handling of the situation. Read more about the story here.
While no one should ever be subjected to such a heartless and severe experience, unfortunately, we need to share the story of one elderly man who was allegedly was tasered and pepper sprayed by two police officers at a residential facility last month.
On 26 October, in Adelaide’s south, an elderly man was allegedly tasered and pepper sprayed by two police officers in a care home after an altercation between them, resulting in minor injuries.
‘The man, aged in his 60s, was restrained by police and sustained minor injuries during the arrest,’ the police said.
After a complaint was made to the Office for Public Integrity and South Australia Police, bodycam footage of the incident was viewed, and investigators began criminal and disciplinary investigations.
Two police officers allegedly tapered and pepper-sprayed an elderly man in a care home. Credit: Unsplash
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens declared a commissioner’s inquiry into the incident.
‘As this incident is the subject of a complaint, the Police Complaints and Discipline Act would ordinarily prohibit the disclosure or publication of information in connection with it,’ the police said.
‘However, the commissioner has determined to authorise both the disclosure and publication of the above information in relation to this complaint, as it is in the public interest to do so,’ they added.
‘No further information in relation to this incident is to be disclosed or published, pursuant to the Police Complaints and Discipline Act.’
After reviewing the footage, the two officers have been removed from duty.
Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams said that the inquiry will be led by a senior police officer and that the Office for Public Integrity will oversee the situation.
‘They have complete oversight,’ Williams said.
She also said that the police responded ‘swiftly’ when they became aware of the incident on Sunday.
‘I think you can read from the response that there is a level of concern that justified a commissioner’s inquiry,’ she added.
However, there will be no disclosure as to whether the man was a resident or an employee of the facility and what events have transpired before the deployment of force.
Williams said that the inquiry might take longer than needed to develop a full picture of what happened. But she was confident about how police officers deployed force in South Australia.
She said, ‘We have a very rigorous training process, and we have a rigorous oversight process in relation to the use of all forms of use of force in the South Australian police.’
‘I’m confident that in the majority of cases, police officers exercise those authorities appropriately.’
It was alleged that the investigation only began when a public complaint was filed, as the incident was not reported up the chain of command. Williams said that this would be investigated as well.
.
Members, always stay safe!
What are your thoughts about this incident in Adelaide? Have you or anyone you know witnessed incidents like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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